Northeast Utility Picks Cellular-Connected Gas Detectors for Worker Safety -- Occupational Health & Safety

Courtesy of MSA Safety: Worker wearing a hard hat holds an MSA ALTAIR io 6 gas detector near a confined space opening.

Northeast Utility Picks Cellular-Connected Gas Detectors for Worker Safety

MSA Safety's ALTAIR io 6 is a six-gas detector with a built-in sampling pump, and its cloud software tracks worker status, gas alarms and where each device is.

By Danielle Naidu
Oct 26, 2026

A five-year agreement worth up to $10.6 million covers a major Northeast utility's purchases of ALTAIR io 6 Multigas Detectors from safety products company MSA Safety. The deal is the largest yet for that detector.

Shipping of the first order is expected to start in December, the company said. Rollout of the detectors is set to start in January 2027.

The detector is intended to help address risks from lone-worker situations, confined spaces and combustible gas exposure. It is the first of the company's gas detectors to pair cellular connectivity with a built-in pump. The pump is designed for monitoring before entry and inside confined spaces.

MSA Grid, the cloud platform tied to the detector, gives real-time updates on device location, worker status and gas alarms. Safety managers and supervisors can view live and past data from one device or a whole fleet.

About the Author

Danielle Naidu is assistant editor for Occupational Health & Safety and Environmental Protection Online.

Product Showcase

Featured

The Hidden Hazard in Every Incident Response: The Search Itself

Before a crew can fix a problem, someone has to find it. That search window holds unmanaged risk, and the utility industry may have found the solution to close it. Read Now
Friday New Product Roundup: October 23

New safety offerings span impact gloves, winter gear, connected gas detection, fire suppression services and protective fabrics. Read Now
The Technician Shortage Crisis: How Workforce Gaps Impact Workplace Safety

A shrinking pool of skilled technicians is leading to deferred maintenance, less supervised repairs and weaker lockout/tagout and recordkeeping practices, raising both injury and compliance risks. Read Now
Key Safety Features to Look for in Wireless Devices

Digital two-way radios leverage customizable emergency alerts, remote monitoring and automated safety features to protect lone workers and maintain operational continuity. Read Now
More Than Dust Control: How to Use Your Water Truck to Prevent Fire Emergencies

A truck most jobsites already have can wet down fire-prone ground and help control a blaze until firefighters arrive, with a few low-cost add-ons and some crew training. Read Now
Before Scaling AI in EHS, Fix the Contractor Data Behind It

Most EHS departments already use AI, but few have scaled it. Keeping contractor data current, worker-level and standardized gives AI a reliable base for spotting serious risks earlier. Read Now

Artificial Intelligence

Boost Safety Training Completion with AI
Most missed training deadlines come down to communication, not content. Here's how AI can target reminders, track completion lag and keep people in charge of competency decisions.
Why Hands-On Training Still Matters in a Digital Age
VR, AR and AI can expand training opportunities, but physical practice remains essential when workers must handle equipment, coordinate with teams and perform correctly in high-risk situations.
Survey Links Unverified AI Guidance to Higher Regulatory Fines
Respondents linked unchecked AI output to incorrect filings, missed deadlines and failed audits, and teams that put sensitive data into personal AI tools reported problems far more often.
ASSP Survey Finds AI Adoption Growing in Workplace Safety
AI use in workplace safety is growing, but investment, data quality and organizational challenges remain barriers.
Firefighter Health and Safety Technology Guide Research Collaboration
International working groups will examine occupational health risks, smart protective equipment and oversight of AI tools.