VIDA bioenergy, a Netherlands-based renewable energy company, has selected Blackline Safety to improve worker safety and detect potential hazards at its bioenergy plant in Wormslade, UK.
The facility converts sustainable organic material into
biomethane, biogenic CO2 and organic fertiliser.
Employees have been equipped with Blackline’s G8 portable
gas detectors, consolidating gas detection, lone-worker connectivity and
communication in a single device.
VIDA bioenergy, launched in 2025 under the ownership of
energy infrastructure company VTTI, is expanding operations and projects across
the Netherlands and UK as it targets growth as a European biomethane producer.
The deployment addresses operational risks including gas
exposure, contaminated water, combustible gases, explosions, confined-space
entry and lone working.
“Our goal is to not only ensure that our employees enjoy
their work, but that they go home safe, and Blackline's features and very
comprehensive package made it a perfect solution for us,” said Dr. Gary
Cartwright, Plant Manager at VIDA bioenergy.
Cartwright said he had been free to select any provider but
chose Blackline based on its technology. “I had free choice to go anywhere I
liked, but Blackline’s offering was just so good, so robust and, in my view,
the best on the market.”
The G8 monitors can detect multiple gases simultaneously and
support on-site bump testing and calibration without Ethernet or Wi-Fi
connections. Remote pump-cartridge replacement also supports confined-space
work while reducing the need for additional equipment.
The devices provide alerts for falls, no-motion incidents
and missed check-ins, alongside emergency SOS and silent alerts supported by
GPS/GNSS and 4G LTE connectivity.
Push-to-talk functionality enables workers to communicate
through the devices, while text messaging supports mass notifications.
The system is backed by 24/7 professional monitoring through
Blackline’s Safety Operations Center or global Alarm Receiving Center partners.
Blackline said alerts are received in fewer than two seconds
and responded to by agents in fewer than 60 seconds.
VIDA bioenergy is also using Blackline Analytics to monitor
safety data and automate compliance reporting.
The system helps identify trends in gas exposure and
operational inefficiencies, allowing the company to address potential issues
ahead of its annual environmental operating permit review.
“When a worker is in trouble, every second counts,” said
Cody Slater, CEO of Blackline Safety. “Knowing there’s a problem is only the
first step. G8 ensures you know exactly what’s happening, where that worker is,
and how to reach them immediately. In an emergency, that ability to act in real
time can make the difference between rescue and recovery.” -OGN/TradeArabia News Service