Blackline's G8 wearable gains traction in industrial safety market. Published on 21/09/2026 - By Mackenzie Doss Blackline Safety's G8 wearable is gaining traction across multiple markets after its March launch. The Calgary-based company reports that both new and existing customers are adopting the device, which combines gas detection, lone worker protection, two-way communication, and live data in a single unit. This momentum shows the growing demand for connected safety solutions in industrial settings. Consolidating safety tools. The G8 integrates several safety features into one wearable. It connects to the Blackline Live platform, allowing safety teams to monitor worker location, movement, and incidents. This consolidation aims to reduce the number of devices workers carry in high-risk environments, streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency. The device's design reflects Blackline's focus on simplifying safety management while maintaining robust functionality. Three features are drawing particular interest: push-to-talk communication, expanded geofencing, and a low-range hydrogen sensor. The push-to-talk function enables workers to communicate directly with colleagues and safety teams through the same device, eliminating the need for additional tools. The CSA-certified hydrogen sensor, tailored for North American users, addresses the increasing use of hydrogen in industrial settings, providing critical monitoring capabilities. Early adopters and industry demand. Vida Bioenergy, a European bioenergy producer, has adopted the G8 system for its new plant. The company required a solution covering gas detection, lone worker protection, and communication for both employees and contractors. Vida Bioenergy's choice highlights the G8's versatility and its ability to meet complex safety needs in diverse industrial environments. Blackline's CEO, Cody Slater, emphasized the device's real-time capabilities: When a worker is in trouble, every second counts. G8 ensures you know exactly what's happening, where that worker is, and how to reach them immediately. This real-time responsiveness is critical in emergencies, where swift action can prevent serious outcomes. Dr. Gary Cartwright, Plant Manager at Vida Bioenergy, praised the device: G8 makes work as safe as it could possibly be... it was the best on the market. His endorsement shows the G8's market-leading position and its impact on worker safety. The launch coincides with increased pressure on employers in sectors like energy, manufacturing, and heavy industry to enhance worker protection and incident response. Wearables combining communication and environmental monitoring are becoming more prevalent, especially for lone workers or hazardous environments. Blackline's G8 addresses these needs by offering a full, integrated solution. Awards and data milestones. Blackline's G8 and Blackline Live platform have received industry recognition, including two OH&S Industrial Hygiene Awards and a Safety and Health Excellence Award. These accolades validate the company's innovative approach to safety technology. The company's installed base has generated over 336 billion data points and triggered more than eight million emergency alerts, demonstrating its significant impact on industrial safety. Operating in more than 75 countries, Blackline's connected platform is used by tens of thousands of people, reflecting its global reach and influence. For workers in high-risk environments, the G8 offers a streamlined approach to safety, combining multiple functions into one wearable. This consolidation not only simplifies equipment management but also enhances real-time response capabilities, potentially improving outcomes in emergency situations.

September 17, 2026 VIDA bioenergy selects Blackline to protect workers. G8 portable gas detector provides UK bioenergy facility with gas detection, lone worker protection, and communication in a single device. Breda, the Netherlands-based VIDA bioenergy has selected global connected safety technology leader Blackline Safety to help uncover safety hazards and protect lone workers at its bioenergy plant in Wormslade, UK. The facility - which transforms sustainable organic material into energy, producing clean energy products such as biomethane, biogenic CO2, and organic fertiliser - has equipped its employees with Blackline's industry leading G8 portable gas detectors, enabling the company to consolidate lone worker connectivity, gas detection, and communication into a single device. Launched in 2025 under the ownership of energy infrastructure leader VTTI, VIDA bioenergy is poised to become one of Europe's leading biomethane producers, with operations and projects underway across the Netherlands and UK. The company's decision to deploy Blackline's technology was driven by the inherent risks of its operations, including exposure to gases, hazardous or contaminated water, explosions from hot work or combustible gas, confined space entry, and lone work. "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. Blackline's technology was already being used by one of the UK plant's sister sites, but Cartwright had no limitations on which company to work with. "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." Blackline's all-in-one solution gives the bioenergy company and its employees peace of mind by having the assurance that even when no one is working nearby, workers are never alone. "It gives the team confidence that work is as safe as it could possibly be," Cartwright said. The monitors, for example, remotely monitor gas levels, with the ability to detect multiple gases simultaneously. They can also be reliably bump tested and calibrated on site without ethernet or Wi-Fi connections, significantly reducing downtime. Pump cartridges can be remotely swapped, ensuring workers are equipped for confined space entry without carrying extra tools. The same device provides real-time alerts for falls, no-motion, and missed check-ins, plus silent and emergency SOS backed by dual-band GPS/GNSS and 4G LTE connectivity that pinpoints workers' locations quickly and accurately. The technology's push-to-talk capabilities (using the device like a walkie-talkie) means workers have reliable communication while only needing to carry one device. Text messaging for mass notifications is also built into the monitor. Supported by professional 24/7 live monitoring through Blackline's in-house Safety Operations Center (SOC) or global Alarm Receiving Center (ARC) partners, the G8 monitor ensures alerts reach a real person who can respond in real time. Alerts are received in fewer than two seconds and responded to by agents in fewer than 60 seconds. VIDA bioenergy is benefitting from Blackline's solution when it comes to data and analytics reporting as well. Powered by Blackline Analytics, which automates compliance reporting, the G8 detectors help Cartwright's team catch trends in exposure or inefficiency before they become bigger problems. Any issues can then be resolved before the company's annual environmental operating permit review. "When a worker is in trouble, every second counts," said Cody Slater, CEO, 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." 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 increased safety 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 customers in more than 75 countries. Armed with cellular and satellite connectivity, Blackline provides a lifeline to tens of thousands of people, having reported over 336 billion data-points and initiated over eight million emergency alerts. For more information, visit BlacklineSafety.com and connect with us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and Instagram. Name (Required)

Blackline Safety's new G8 wearable gains global traction ahead of NSC Safety Congress & expo. Connected safety leader to showcase G8's expanded communications, gas detection, and worksite visibility at booth #2213 at NSC 2026 11 September 2026 10:55 Blackline Safety, a global leader in connected safety technology, will feature its new G8 connected safety wearable at the 2026 National Safety Council (NSC) Safety Congress and Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana, following strong early customer adoption. Since G8 began shipping in March 2026, both new and long-standing Blackline customers have moved to the next generation of connected safety technology. Credit: Blackline Safety Photo: Blackline Lone Worker G8 combines connected gas detection, lone worker protection, two-way push-to-talk, and live field data in a single compact wearable that gives safety and operations leaders a clearer view of what's happening across their worksites through the Blackline Live platform. "When a worker is in trouble, every second counts," said Cody Slater, CEO, 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." Three G8 capabilities generating particular interest include: Built-in Push-to-Talk (PTT): allowing workers to talk directly with each other and their safety and monitoring teams through a single portable device. For organizations operating in high-risk environments, immediate voice communication can help teams coordinate work and respond quickly if something goes wrong. Zone Intelligence: Blackline has expanded the Blackline Live platform behind G8 with ZoneAware(TM) geofencing this summer. This allows organizations to define specific worksite zones to see worker locations, movement, and activity, and use that information to support emergency response, evacuation, and compliance. New CSA-certified hydrogen (H2) sensor: This newly available low-range H2 sensor expands gas detection options for North American customers working around hydrogen, offering them an expanded detection portfolio for their G8 devices. Among the organizations adopting G8 is Vida Bioenergy, a European bioenergy production company, which needed a fully connected solution for its new plant that included gas detection, lone worker protection, and communication for its staff and contractors. "G8 makes work as safe as it could possibly be," said Dr. Gary Cartwright, Plant Manager, Vida Bioenergy. "I had free choice to go anywhere I liked, but the G8 was just so good, so robust and, in my view, it was the best on the market."G8 and Blackline Live have also earned recognition across the industry, including two OH&S Industrial Hygiene Awards in the "IoT - Connected Devices" and "Software" categories, and a Safety and Health Excellence Award. See G8 and join Blackline's Safety Huddle presentation at NSC Attendees can see and interact with G8 and Blackline's broader connected safety platform at booth #2213 on the expo floor from Sept. 14-16 in Indianapolis. Blackline's Director of Product Management, Mike Brown, will also be giving a live demo of G8 at the New Product Showcase (booth #1977) on Monday, Sept. 14 at 12:30 p.m. ET. Blackline Safety's Yves Carrier will present a Safety Huddle session, "Where Safety Breaks Down: What New Research Tells Us," on Monday, Sept. 14 at 10:00 a.m. ET. Drawing on Blackline's new Keeping People Safe research, the session will explore where gaps can emerge between safety protocols and what happens in the field, and practical ways organizations can improve safety outcomes.