Bioenergy Plant Deploys Connected Monitors for Gas Exposure and Lone Worker Risks
The G8 devices provide workers at the U.K. facility with fall alerts, location tracking and 24-hour emergency monitoring.
- By Danielle Naidu
- Sep 17, 2026
Workers at VIDA bioenergy’s Wormslade facility in the United Kingdom are using Blackline Safety portable gas detectors to monitor atmospheric hazards and maintain contact during lone and confined-space work.
The bioenergy operator deployed Blackline’s G8 devices in response to risks involving hazardous gases, contaminated water, hot work, combustible gases and confined-space entry. The plant converts organic material into biomethane, biogenic carbon dioxide and organic fertilizer.
Blackline said the monitors can detect multiple gases while providing alerts for falls, lack of motion and missed check-ins. The devices also include emergency and silent SOS functions, location tracking and push-to-talk communication.
The company said workers can attach pump cartridges for confined-space testing without carrying a separate instrument. The monitors can also be bump tested and calibrated at the facility without an Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection.
Device alerts are supported by Blackline’s 24-hour monitoring center or its alarm-receiving partners. Blackline reported that alerts reach monitoring personnel in less than 2 seconds and receive a response in less than 60 seconds.
VIDA also plans to use data from the detectors to identify potential exposure patterns and prepare compliance reports. The company said the information could help its team address issues before the facility’s annual environmental operating permit review.
About the Author
Danielle Naidu is assistant editor for Security Today, Campus Security Today, Occupational Health & Safety and Environmental Protection Online.