Connected technology's role in workplace safety

Technology has already played a key role in improving safety within manufacturing, but more still needs to be done as workers continue to deal with dangerous, harsh and potentially hazardous working environments on a daily basis. 

The improvement of wireless tech and connectivity means it is now easier for operations managers to track the locations, movement and environment of workers in real-time. These real-time insights are allowing operations managers to be far more proactive in managing the working environment, using data collected from connected devices and equipment to ensure operatives are both safe and working in an efficient environment at all times.

Real-time control

Real-time data is increasingly being used to enable proactive environmental management. Dust monitor units located in tunnels and mine shafts that track dust in the environment, for example, can be directly linked into the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system to provide real time monitoring information, enabling operations managers to automatically manage air conditioning and dust suppression.

By monitoring worker activity and location alongside environment condition monitoring, integration with the communications systems means workers can be warned if they are working in an area that is becoming unsafe. This can range from complete evacuation to a request to put on a mask in an area where masks are not always required.

The need to keep employees safe through the use of Personal Protective Equipment in hazardous environments and the commercial requirements to boost efficiency are often promoted as one over the other – with policies either promoting maximum safety or efficiency. Real-time monitoring is taking the guess work out of safety, ensuring employees are protected to the appropriate levels without the restrictions.

Artificial intelligence

Using artificial intelligence to automate the management process of environment controls, and respond to changing events and environments, is set to be transformative.

Continuous environmental monitoring, as well as employee health sensors, will provide AI-based SCADA with the ability to automatically make changes to the environment – such as turning on dust suppression – to maximise employee safety.

Data sources

In addition, the raft of data sources now available - from monitoring the condition of equipment, to location tracking, worker outputs and monitoring the impact of drill and blasting procedures – provides new insight that can be collected and analysed in real time to improve efficiency and safety.

This big data – especially when combined with AI or machine learning tools – will be used to not only improve the efficiency of overall manufacturing operations, but to boost project safety by enabling operation managers to predict, identify and mitigate safety issues before they become a major problem.

The future of industrial safety is much brighter with the emergence of new and more sophisticated technology. Location tracking, environment monitoring and warning systems, coupled with AI-enabled analysis and connected devices will mean workers can be kept safe while ensuring maximum productivity across industrial operations.

Clearly these are challenging environments, demanding innovative sensors and monitors. But progress in this area is just as compelling – the latest generation of OPCs, for example, are based on an innovative design that is no longer at risk of blockages caused by particle deposition and accumulation, do not require HEPA filters and, as a result, have a significantly longer MTBF and can be left unattended in the field for long periods.

IoT and AI can provide a platform for significant improvement in workforce safety – but real-time monitoring and response demand new levels of sensor reliability and accuracy. It will be the combination of high quality environmental monitoring tools and sophisticated connected technologies working effectively together that will deliver the next step forward in employee protection.