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Whether you are attending an industry event or trade show, reading a publication or on the web, advancement in technology is everywhere. What role does such technology play in promoting safety in the propane industry?

Consumers

A variety of apps provide diagnostic information and allow users to ensure that appliances are operating safely and efficiently.

Smart thermostats that are connected through the home’s Wi-Fi give consumers the ability to manage their system by creating a schedule for automatic adjustments, allowing control to shift throughout the day and night or even when they are home or not. They give consumers control of their appliances from anywhere and at any time.

This same technology can alert the appliance technician of problems remotely, which can reduce the time to diagnose during service and ensure that the right parts, as well as the appropriately qualified technician, are dispatched.

Carbon monoxide detectors mitigate combustion dangers, and smoke detectors provide fire protection, both of which can alert the user through apps.

Tank monitors, through apps, can alert customers and their marketers when tank levels are low, preventing interruptions of service.

Vapor meters monitor gas usage and provide the data through apps. This technology allows customers to monitor their usage in a way similar to other energy sources.

Propane marketers

Technology allows propane marketers to improve safety for consumers and employees.

Marketers can use technology with meters to monitor usage, alerting for issues like excessive or no usage. This data can also be used to increase the efficiency of deliveries, service and maintenance, which can reduce a company’s risk and liability with out-of-gas scenarios. In addition, technology gives the marketer the ability to track and monitor equipment and employees. Using technology to give real-time information on compliance, education and training helps employees make safe choices.

Technology also allows us to be with employees who work alone, not just for their safety and security but also for employees’ peace of mind, enabling them to defend their actions during an accident or customer complaint.

Mounted cameras in a vehicle, for example, are used to identify good and bad driving techniques. They also educate the employer and driver on the distractions they encounter daily. Employees might be checking a text message, email or alert, or they might be eating a sandwich, taking a drink of coffee or worrying about a personal concern. The point is that there are a multitude of potential distractions that can lead to incidents or accidents. Technology can encourage us to take safer actions by making us aware of our daily routines and behaviors.

Apps can also alert employers and drivers to issues that can affect a commercial driver’s license. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration uses technology to monitor and alert carriers and drivers on things that can affect their compliance, safety and accountability information. There are also many options when it comes to intelligent compliance programs, which provide data to facilitate moving from reactive behaviors – i.e., just meeting the minimum standards – to proactive ones. Being proactive about safety leads to more productivity, efficiency and profitability for the marketer.

For everyone

Distracted driving is dangerous, but cellphone technology can help reduce those risks.

Choose to use a distracted driving app that is compatible with your phone and can block messages and calls. Most will also provide you with the ability to track miles driven safely, provide notifications and even offer rewards. We can make an impact by pledging not to become a statistic of distracted driving, by using technology to turn off our phones while driving.

Technology can help us consistently challenge our daily activities and routines to ensure we do not overlook safety.

After all, we are only safe when we choose to make safety what we do.

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Randy Warner is product safety manager for Cavagna North America. He can be reached at randywarner@us.cavagnagroup.com.

NOTE: The opinions and viewpoints expressed herein are solely the author’s and should in no way be interpreted as those of LP Gas magazine or any of its staff members.