Blackline Boosts Safety Protection for Workers in Confined Spaces during Turnaround and Shutdowns

Calgary, Canada — Blackline Safety, a global leader in connected safety technology, has announced that it will now offer boosted protection for the industry’s most at-risk worksite maintenance activities.

The company has partnered with Access Technology Group, a Dutch innovator in digital shutdowns and turnarounds, to integrate Blackline’s G7 EXO portable area gas monitors with Access Technology’s VISICS Digital Confined Space Monitoring system.

“Through this partnership, we are now able to link our equipment and live stream gas readings to the VISICS platform to support the new best practices of confined space monitoring and deliver even more value to our customers,” said Brendon Cook, Chief Partnership Officer, Blackline Safety.

Confined spaces are challenging work environments, and identifying the hazards involved and then taking proactive steps to prevent them and minimize risks is paramount, Cook explained. “Minimizing risks starts with knowing who’s inside a confined space, for how long, and monitoring the atmospheric conditions within it,” he said.

Blackline’s first-of-their-kind G7 EXO portable area gas monitors operate reliably in real-time to keep workers safe. Easily tailored to suit specific gas detection and safety monitoring needs, the cloud-connected monitors allow companies to accurately visualize what’s happening around their facilities and rapidly alert teams in the event of a hazard or emergency.

The VISICS system takes information from workers’ badges and communication devices to manage and monitor their entries into confined spaces. Live camera feeds both inside and outside the space enable remote teams to centrally monitor each confined space and all activities inside and out.

The integration of the two technologies enables Blackline’s G7 EXO monitors to communicate directly with the VISICS network streaming gas readings – sampled from within a confined space – to add another layer of proactive safety monitoring and protection during turnaround and shutdowns.

“Integrating with Blackline Safety is a wonderful opportunity for VISICS as it allows us to offer Blackline’s top-of-the-line technology while maintaining the same familiar look and feel for VISICS operators,” said Rene Slegers, CEO of Access Technology Group.

“Blackline Safety has a loyal client base which we are now happily able to serve during confined space monitoring work,” Slegers added. “By combining the right people with the best equipment, such as Blackline’s, VISICS helps protect CSE personnel from the risks and hazards associated with confined space work, 24/7.”
VISICS is the market leader in digital confined space monitoring, providing services to the most well-known industrial energy clients in more than 15 countries through direct business and well-developed local partnerships.

Blackline Safety worked with Access Technology Group and its North American distribution partner, InfoSignal, to develop an EXO hard-wired data interface to deliver real-time gas readings into the VISICS network. The technology was then trialed at several customer worksites to ensure a seamless integration.

About Blackline Safety

Blackline Safety is a technology leader driving innovation in the industrial workforce through IoT (Internet of Things). With connected safety devices and predictive analytics, Blackline enables companies to drive towards zero safety incidents and improved operational performance. Blackline provides wearable devices, personal and area gas monitoring, cloud-connected software and data analytics to meet demanding safety challenges and enhance overall productivity for organizations with coverage in more than 100 countries. Armed with cellular and satellite connectivity, Blackline provides a lifeline to tens of thousands of people, having reported over 178 billion data-points and initiated over five million emergency responses. For more information, visit BlacklineSafety.com and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

About Access Technologies Group

Access Technology Group (ATG) is an innovative Dutch company located in the centre of The Netherlands, with a range of subsidiaries. ATG started in 2002 with solutions for wireless infrastructures and public safety and security under Access Innovations BV. In 2005 ICT services were added to the portfolio under Access Communications BV. As an increasing demand for mobile solutions was sensed, especially in heavy industries with a need for increased safety levels at lower costs, ATG developed VISICS – the innovative and mobile solution for safe and efficient maintenance turnarounds and shutdowns. The first generation VISICS was launched in 2007 under Mobile Shutdown System BV. Since then, ATG has focussed more intensively on this specific industrial application, which has resulted in a mobile high-tech solution providing on-demand state-of-the-art observation, registration and communication techniques. VISICS has since been deployed actively in over 15 countries for the most reputable energy clients. For more information, visit Visics.eu and connect with us on LinkedIn or Xing.