What many teams miss about gas detectors on short-term sites

Gas detectors gaps on temporary worksites

Crowcon Detection Instruments has warned that temporary and mobile worksites are often neglected when it comes to gas detection, leaving workers exposed to invisible hazards.

The company said that such sites, which include refinery turnarounds and short-term construction projects, frequently lack adequate gas safety systems.

According to Crowcon, data from 2015 to 2020 shows that temporary worksites across the UK accounted for 11 deaths and more than 130 injuries.

Ed Clapham, Product Manager at Crowcon Detection Instruments, said: “The environment of a temporary worksite clearly demonstrates the need for gas monitoring, mainly due to the way these sites operate.

“Most, if not all, temporary worksites run under intense time, deadline and cost pressures, with crews often required to move rapidly between jobs and environments.

“However, these quick turnaround times and competing pressures frequently result in safety systems being overlooked.”

He added that when teams rely on assumptions rather than real-time monitoring, they create a safety gap that can have serious consequences.

Cost and awareness challenges in gas safety

Clapham said: “It’s important for teams operating on mobile or short-term worksites to remember that temporary operations can carry long-term consequences if hazards are underestimated.

“If a project is only expected to last a few days or weeks, decision-makers sometimes assume it doesn’t require the same level of safety infrastructure as a permanent site, when in fact, this mindset can be dangerous.

“The reality is that temporary setups tend to be more unpredictable, often involving changing personnel, unfamiliar layouts and makeshift conditions that increase the risk of gas exposure.”

He explained that limited budgets and a lack of awareness often prevent proper investment in portable detection systems.

“Because these worksites are considered short term, tight project budgets and limited resources can mean that gas detection falls into the ‘nice to have’ category rather than being treated as essential, when this should not be the case,” Clapham said.

“In some cases, a lack of awareness or expertise is also to blame. Not every project manager or contractor fully understands the technical risks associated with invisible hazards such as oxygen depletion or low-level toxic gas exposure.”

The need for proactive safety measures

Clapham continued: “It’s quite common for businesses, and individuals, to be more reactive than preventative. It’s not unusual for safety equipment to be purchased after an incident or regulatory audit, rather than before.

“This happens because, without visible consequences, leadership may not prioritise proactive investment. This can unknowingly create a dangerous cycle in which, until something goes wrong, gas detection remains invisible, both literally and figuratively.”

He said that under Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance, project managers are legally responsible for ensuring that workers are not exposed to foreseeable hazards, regardless of project duration.

“Beyond compliance, incidents are highly disruptive and costly,” he added.

“Even a single near-miss can derail schedules, trigger investigations, halt operations and damage client relationships.”

Portable gas detectors addressing temporary site risks

Clapham said: “Gas detection technology has advanced significantly over the years, which is why it’s so important to leverage the full capabilities of modern safety equipment, especially across temporary worksites, where portable solutions are ideal.

“Temporary worksites are defined by constant change and rotating personnel. This level of movement makes it difficult to maintain consistent safety standards, but this is precisely where portable and area gas detectors excel, providing the agility and adaptability needed to match such fluid operations.

“Modern portable and area gas detectors offer a practical, proven way to deliver the reliability of fixed monitoring to virtually any location. These compact, connected systems can be deployed quickly to cover confined spaces, open worksites or multi-zone maintenance areas, without disrupting workflow.

“By implementing connected, mobile detection systems, teams can maintain full situational awareness, even in fast-paced or remote environments. Ultimately, it’s about making safety flexible, without ever lowering standards.”

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

This information is relevant to safety officers, project managers and compliance leaders overseeing short-term or mobile industrial operations.

The insights highlight a recurring issue in temporary work environments, where gas detection is often deprioritised despite clear legal and operational risks.

Professionals responsible for safety planning in construction, maintenance and refinery operations can use portable gas detection technology to ensure continuous monitoring even in fluid, multi-site projects.

The data cited by Crowcon and the British Safety Council reinforces that gas-related incidents remain a leading cause of injury and fatality across temporary worksites, underscoring the importance of equipping all crews with portable detection systems from project start to completion.