Procurement blind spots occur when single gas detectors are purchased without a full understanding of their intended use and risks. A unit that looks reliable on paper may fail in practice if core factors are missed during evaluation. Safety teams often discover gaps too late, once the equipment is deployed onsite. By recognising the common blind spots before buying, you can prevent costly mistakes and strengthen workforce safety.
By Ashwin Mohan, HETEK Solutions Inc.
Prevent Safety Gaps
Procurement mistakes often go unnoticed until a detector fails in the field. What looks like a small oversight during purchasing can quickly become a serious safety gap once workers are exposed to hazardous environments. By recognizing where blind spots appear, you can make better choices and prevent risks before they surface.
1. Inadequate Hazard Assessment
Failing to match detector capabilities with actual site hazards can leave teams unprotected. Some detectors may only sense oxygen deficiency, while your facility may need monitoring for toxic gases like carbon monoxide (CO) or hydrogen sulphide (H2S). A mismatch exposes workers to silent risks.
2. Ignoring Environmental and Operational Conditions
Temperature swings, humidity, and confined spaces all affect sensor performance. A detector chosen without factoring in these conditions may deliver inaccurate readings or fail in harsh settings. Always align the technology with real-world conditions.
3. Neglecting Maintenance and Calibration Needs
Even the best detectors drift over time. Without planning for calibration schedules, bump testing, and sensor replacement, your procurement team sets the stage for false alarms or undetected leaks. Reliability comes from routine upkeep, not just initial purchase.
4. Overlooking Compatibility and Integration
Detectors should fit seamlessly into your larger safety system. Buying without considering how data integrates with central monitoring tools or reporting software creates blind spots in visibility. Integration prevents fragmented safety oversight.
5. Underestimating Training and Use
A detector is only as effective as the worker who wears it. Overlooking the importance of training leads to misuse, silenced alarms, or non-compliance. Worker education must be part of the procurement equation.
6. Not Planning for Regulatory Compliance
Each industry has safety requirements around gas detection. Skipping regulatory checks when selecting detectors may result in fines and liability. Compliance must guide procurement decisions from the start.
7. Purchasing Based on Price Alone
Cheaper detectors may appear attractive, yet they often cost more in downtime, maintenance, and accidents over time. Safety equipment is an investment, not a line-item expense. Evaluate value instead of chasing the lowest number.
Beyond Procurement: Building a Safety-First Detection Strategy
Buying single gas detectors is only the beginning of a strong safety framework. A true detection strategy looks beyond the purchase order and considers the entire lifecycle of the equipment. That includes scheduled calibration, regular bump testing, integration with centralized monitoring platforms, and structured replacement cycles when sensors reach the end of their service life.
Procurement teams should not operate in isolation. Collaboration with operations staff, EHS managers, and compliance officers ensures detectors meet both technical and regulatory needs. This type of cross-functional planning reduces blind spots and builds consistency across departments.
A detection strategy also requires ongoing worker readiness. Training programs must teach employees not just how to wear detectors, but how to interpret alarms and respond appropriately in real-world scenarios. Without this knowledge, even the best equipment loses its effectiveness.
When you approach single gas detectors as part of a safety-first strategy, the investment extends beyond acquisition. It becomes a long-term safeguard that supports compliance, reduces operational risk, and keeps workers confident in the reliability of their equipment. Procurement then shifts from a transactional process to a proactive step in building a culture of protection.
Importance of Single Gas Detectors, Vendor Support, and Training Services
Vendor support can make or break the effectiveness of single gas detectors. The right provider offers calibration programs, repair services, and direct access to technical experts. Just as important, they deliver training that ensures workers know how to operate and interpret alarms confidently.
When you select a vendor, ask about onboarding sessions, scheduled maintenance support, and emergency assistance. Look for a partner who sees your success as their responsibility. That kind of support transforms procurement from a transaction into an ongoing safety alliance.
Key Takeaways:
- Ignoring key factors during procurement can create safety gaps in industrial operations.
- Evaluating detectors beyond price ensures long-term reliability, compliance, and usability.
- Partnering with a vendor that provides training, and support maximizes ROI and worker protection.
About the Author
Ashwin Mohan, P.Eng, is a licensed professional mechanical engineer and Responsible Member for Hetek Solutions’ corporate permit to practice engineering in Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia.
A graduate of the University of British Columbia, he has over ten years of engineering and operational experience in diverse industries of energy and water delivery infrastructure across seven provinces.
Currently a Product Engineer with Hetek, he describes his role as protection of the public, infrastructure, and environment through engineering solutions.