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THE VALUE OF CONNECTED SAFETY FOR SINGLE-GAS DETECTION (PART 2 OF 2): Hidden considerations for single-gas detection


These translations are done via Google Translate

g6 oil gas workers pointing

In Part 1 published last month, we introduced connected safety and how it is changing the single-gas detection landscape. After a quick recap, we’ll discuss how connected safety benefits Total Cost of Ownership of single-gas detectors and how it can contribute to your organization’s sustainability goals.

Why use connected safety for single-gas detection?

Connected safety keeps you from having to do the manual guesswork of determining gas presence based on testimony or data from docked single-gas detectors that only tell a delayed part of the story.

g6 high alert refinery

By using cloud-enabled safety devices and analytics reports, you can work to mitigate and even eliminate safety risks by:

1. Accessing real-time information to quickly respond to incidents

Connected safety devices provide accurate location information of your workers on your dashboard – in-real-time should an incident occur. This enables you to quickly respond to individual incidents or enact emergency response and evacuation procedures.

2. Creating preventative safety and processes based on analysis of accurate data

Connected safety lets you leverage insights from vital information and trustworthy data to reduce incidents. For example, by creating more effective preventive safety protocols and processes. Having full visibility of your workers lets you scale your safety program across worksites and facilities. You can also identify focus areas where additional worker training should be implemented.

3. Proactively managing worker and device compliance and reporting

Connected safety delivers a single source of data to tell which devices in the field are compliant – or not. With simple bump test and calibration, the accountability for a compliant device can be put on workers to ensure they maintain the device to your company’s set schedule. With a dashboard that shows the real-time bump test and calibration status of your full device fleet, you can focus on those that are out of compliance.

What factors contribute to connected safety TCO?

Many companies aren’t formally tracking the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of their single-gas detectors (Priority Metrics Group). For companies that are, many don’t look beyond the price of the devices, consumables and maintenance. Whether buying or leasing, single-gas detectors are most frequently purchased on an as-need basis as an operating expense – making it less likely for companies to pay attention to overall TCO.

Beyond the most obvious benefit of reducing costly safety incidents, factors to consider when evaluating the overall TCO of connected safety solutions include benefits that increase operational efficiency and reduce associated costs.

gas detection tco incident cost

A few areas are worth breaking out:

Reduce false alarms

Survey results indicated that false alarms are relatively frequent resulting in costly evacuation procedures. Traditional disposable single-gas detectors can be prone to false alarms making workers doubt their accuracy. This can lead to workers ignoring them so they can just get the job done.
Connected safety solutions provide higher precision gas detection and continuous visibility to safety and operations managers.

Minimize it resources

Survey results indicated that fence-to-fence Wi-Fi and private LTE were the most frequently identified wireless communications used or planned. Setting up and maintaining IT takes resources and time, translating into indirect costs that affect TCO of the safety program.
Connected safety is direct-to-cloud, and is connected right out of the box, including over-the-air (OTA) updates.

Fewer lost devices

Survey results indicated that device location was one of the top capabilities desired for single-gas detectors. On average, 20% of single-gas devices are lost resulting in replacement costs and operational churn.
Connected safety GPS location tracking drastically reduces the number of lost devices by allowing workers to find them whether they were left behind or fell off.

“If we could recover those units that are lost…they are hard to keep track of with workers leaving and turnover.”
“If we can get an average of 18 months [from disposables], that is between damaged and lost, we are happy.”
          – HSE Managers (Priority Metrics Group, 2022)

Increase lifespan

Survey results indicated that longer device life was a top desired capability. Disposable single-gas detectors are slated to last only 18-24 months before they need to be replaced. This comes with replacement costs and also the need for additional inventory to ensure workers can continue the task at hand.
Connected safety single-gas solutions, like Blackline’s G6, have a 4-year lifespan – 2X that of disposables – and have a rechargeable battery with a 1-year life.

oil gas worker wrench single gas detector

How Does Connected Safety Contribute to Sustainability Goals?

Much like the difference between using disposable, single-use coffee pods versus buying coffee beans and using a French press, connected safety solutions are an inherently more sustainable option with a reduced environmental impact compared to disposable detectors.

While some companies return single-gas detectors to the vendor or manufacturer for recycling or have in-house departments refurbish them using salvaged parts, the disposal process can be onerous. Like TCO, using devices with longer lifespans, being able to locate them if lost to reduce waste, and working with a manufacturer committed to responsible recycling and disposal will support your organization’s commitment to sustainability.

While sustainability may not be within your scope, those responsible for leading ESG initiatives at your company will be keen to know that shifting to a connected safety solution will contribute to their Health, Safety, Security, Environment (HSSE) and Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) goals.

Transform your single-gas detection program with Blackline Safety’s all new G6 connected single-gas detector.

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