Real-Life Incident: Gerry’s Story: Alone in the Boiler Room With CO

When a routine patrol became a potential gas poisoning tragedy, quick action and life-saving technology made all the difference.

It was a routine night shift, just like countless others. The kind where nothing usually happens — and that’s exactly the goal.

Gerry was making his regular security patrol through a large U.S. operations facility that supports lab research, production, and administration for a global consumer brand.

He was working alone, as security personnel often do, when he stepped into the boiler room in the admin building — and that’s when his Blackline Safety G7 multi-gas detector suddenly went into alarm mode. The threat? Carbon monoxide.

The company’s Assistant Vice President (AVP), responsible for health and security, recalls the night well. “The G7 alarm went off the second Gerry stepped into the boiler room,” she said. “He did the right thing and closed the door, evacuated immediately and radioed his supervisor, who followed protocol and alerted me.” 

By the time the provider of the facility’s wall-mounted smoke detectors notified the company of a CO alert, officials from the local fire and police departments were already on their way thanks to early detection by the security officer’s G7. Without it, the outcome could have been fatal.

“That alarm probably saved my life. I couldn’t see or smell the gas. It’s extra peace of mind and confidence that you’re protected.” – Gerry, Security Officer

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas largely undetectable without a gas detector. Extremely toxic, it can quickly cause unconsciousness or death without warning — and is responsible for more poisoning fatalities than any other kind of poisoning.

Lone Worker, Life-Saving Protocol

At this facility, it’s mandatory for all night-shift lone workers — like Gerry — to wear a G7 multi-gas detector. It’s not just about compliance; it’s about protecting lives in environments where hazards can appear without warning.

The company put this protocol in place following a tragic incident years earlier when a worker suffered a fatal heart attack on site. Although he was able to call his wife to say he was in distress, emergency responders couldn’t find him in time. Since then, all lone workers are equipped with location-enabled devices. 

Workplace inclusivity is also a priority. “For any staff that may be hard of hearing, G7 works for them too,” the AVP added. “It has a visual display for alerts and text messaging. That kind of accessibility is important to us.” 

The Hidden Hazard  

Following the incident, an internal investigation traced the source of the event: a leak from the battery-powered forklift in the boiler room. The leak contributed to carbon monoxide levels that built up quickly within the confined space. 

The forklift was promptly removed and led to the company reevaluating its preventative maintenance schedule and equipment placement — especially for machinery with gas emission potential.

“You don’t know what you don’t know — but devices like G7 sound the alarm on hidden hazards. It can be used by any worker, in any place, in any situation.” – Gerry, Security Officer

Thanks to strong safety protocols and the reliability of Blackline’s G7, a lone worker went home safe. It’s an outcome that reaffirms not just the importance of technology, but of a proactive safety culture and being prepared for anything. 

Additional Real-Life Story

G7 helps HAZMAT team safely navigate Wisconsin's largest DMT lab Read how the hazmat team discovered a hidden hazard when investigating a suspected drug operation in a residential home. READ NOW

Featured Content

		Real-Time Awareness Boosts Hazmat Team Response GAS DETECTION GIVES REMOTE VISIBILITY INTO AMMONIA LEAK INCIDENT Read how an urban fire department in the U.S. used Blackline Safety technology to respond to a dangerous ammonia leak with speed and precision.
		Real-life Incident: Lieutenant Anderson II’s Story – The Silent Killer Hear how Blackline’s G6 detected lethal CO levels, triggering a rapid response that saved two lives and safeguarded the brave first responders. READ STORY
		Cool Under Fire: How Blackline Safety is Transforming Emergency Response Real-time data and advanced gas monitoring technology empower fire and hazmat teams to tackle the toughest emergencies with confidence.   READ ARTICLE