Redefining Employee Safety Through Innovative Technology

When your operations require deploying hundreds of workers to often remote and disconnected sites, where exposure to hazardous gases is a concern, ensuring their safety is paramount. Cappagh Browne Utilities Limited (CBUL) specialises in repairing and maintaining wastewater networks, right across the South East of England. Work sites can be in isolated locations, and immediate assistance may not be readily available.

Cappagh Browne is committed to finding innovative solutions to enhance workforce safety, from advanced equipment to robust protocols. In every operational situation, keeping people safe is our top priority.

Valued Partners: MSA Safety

When MSA Safety introduced the latest generation of their connected gas detector, the ALTAIR io™ 4, Jeff Birtwhistle, Cappagh Browne Managing Director, was eager for the business to benefit from this new technology. About MSA Safety, he said:

“When it comes to innovation and new technology, MSA Safety is one of our key and invaluable partners.”

Cappagh Browne had been using an earlier generation connected gas detector from MSA Safety, which provided essential data for remote monitoring and worker protection during emergencies. The ALTAIR io™ 4 provides advanced benefits, through additional features including seamless real-time data integration. This advanced model uses cutting-edge technology to elevate business efficiency, accelerate response times, and, crucially, enhance safety standards. About the ALTAIR io™ 4, Jeff said: “It means we can keep our most valuable asset – our people – safe.”

Redefining Safety

The ALTAIR io™ 4 is a highly advanced and durable gas detector designed for tough environments. As part of MSA Safety’s Connected Work Platform, the detector uses built-in cutting-edge, CAT-M LTE cellular connectivity and integration with the MSA Grid. This means it can be deployed in seconds, offering immediate, on-site connectivity, when cellular service is available.

The ALTAIR io™ 4 embraces automation, helping to ensure it is always up to date and ready for use. Software updates are managed remotely and securely through the cloud, eliminating the need for IT involvement and helping to ensure the device always has the latest features and security patches. When placed in its dock, the device automatically performs necessary tests (like bump tests and calibration) to stay compliant with safety regulations, ensuring it’s always ready for use.

The detector is built to last in harsh conditions, with industry leading XCELL® sensors that function in extreme temperatures, withstand falls from up to 25 feet, and maintain performance in dusty or wet environments (IP68 rating).

The upgrade to the ALTAIR io™ 4 Connected Gas Detector is already delivering significant benefits. Matt Reid, Head of Fleet for Cappagh Browne, says:

“We have over 350 employees working across various remote sites in potentially hazardous environments. So real-time safety monitoring is important. Now, with the ALTAIR io 4, we’re able to use real-time data to establish who to use on a particular job because we can see what exposure they’ve had over the last week.We can send one person out to a job and then, if they need help, we can send another person out with an ID tag to ‘fob on’ to the same device. We can then track both people safely within the seven-day period to make sure they don’t exceed their exposure limit.”

A Safe and Secure Workplace

Implementing this advanced and comprehensive workplace safety system has delivered many positive outcomes that support both productivity and well-being:

• It helps protect workers by establishing clear protocols and ensuring adherence to safety standards, thereby reducing accidents and injuries.
• Automation of compliance procedures streamlines processes, helping to ensure all regulations are consistently met without manual oversight. This enhances worker accountability as responsibilities are clearly defined and monitored.
• Workers gain confidence knowing they are correctly protected, with systems in place for emergency situations, such as devices for immediate help calls.
• Supervisors benefit from swift identification of safety issues through real-time data, enabling prompt intervention and continuous improvement in workplace safety measures.

Emphasising and prioritising safety at Cappagh Browne not only reinforces our commitment to a robust safety culture but also underscores our core value of prioritising the well-being of our employees. Fleet manager Matt Reid sums this up: “Using ALTAIR io 4 means we can send our employees home safely to their families every night”.

Cappagh Browne cultivates a workplace where every member feels secure, valued, and motivated to contribute their best efforts. This is central to maintaining a positive workplace atmosphere where safety is embedded in every aspect of our operations, ensuring both operational efficiency and employee satisfaction.