As the energy sector faces tighter budgets and labour shortages, Dräger UK is rolling out new safety innovations designed to help companies cut costs without compromising worker protection.
The company’s Rental System has been increasingly adopted across Europe and is now gaining traction in the UK. The model allows firms to access high-quality safety equipment without the expense of permanent ownership, with tailored rental packages and ongoing support including remote monitoring and replacement. According to Dräger’s recent Health and Safety at Work Report, 67% of companies in the energy industry are open to renting equipment as a cost-effective solution.
One notable example is the Rental Robot, an automated vending-style system that provides safety kit on a pay-as-you-go basis. Workers use ID badges to collect equipment at any time of day, while the system logs and monitors usage automatically. A recent deployment reported a 44% saving in staff time and a 29% reduction in equipment costs, alongside operational benefits such as automated overdue reports, controlled access to third-party equipment, and lower gas usage during testing.
Dräger has also introduced INARA, a remote monitoring system that provides real-time oversight of critical operations such as confined space work. Using portable, explosion-protected hardware, INARA delivers 360-degree video monitored by qualified personnel, integrates gas detection, and enables direct communication between workers and safety monitors. The system also generates automatic safety reports, reducing the need for traditional standby personnel.
The company will showcase these innovations at an open day in Aberdeen on 23 September. The event will feature demonstrations of gas detection technology, the Rental Robot and INARA, as well as training information and a mobile van fitted with Dräger equipment following its European tour.
