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PRODUCTION • PROCESSING • HANDLING HEALTH & SAFETY


PROTECTINGPERSONNEL Matt DeLorenzo discusses how gas detection technology is transforming safety for workers W


ith the processing of oil and gas comes many inherent hazards, from the combustibility of the products themselves to


harmful or even deadly gases. Tese hazards, coupled with a diverse variety of applications that involve the use and manufacture of highly dangerous substances, mean that the continued safe functioning and use of gas detector fleets is central to reducing risks to personnel and plant. Here, we look at how technology is improving gas detector fleet safety via a transformation of the way devices are managed, and how operator safety is monitored while at work. Improvements in safety, both in practice and equipment, have essentially always stemmed from one thing: the availability of good information. In the past, that learning was often observational, based on talking to individuals, or derived from scrutiny or analysis of historic written and pictorial hard copy records. Today, thanks to the advances in digital data capture and recording by sensors and devices, information is a commodity that is not in short supply. Te seamless


connectivity driving the Internet of Tings (IoT) is already touching workplaces globally. Te latest flame and gas detection devices typically offer the ability to log performance and environmental data. But translating that into tangible learnings is not always easy.


THE BIG DATA CHALLENGE Due to the sheer volume of devices and test requirements, the processing and intelligently analysing of large data volumes, particularly when gathered from real-time streams, is now one of the oil and gas industry’s biggest challenges. And for data to be meaningful, it has to provide real insight. Tat starts with being able to automatically detect, highlight, interrogate and share those events that are most relevant and significant to the operation of a device, or the ability of an operative to complete his or her work safely. Recent advancements of AI-enabled automated reporting tools allow safety managers to look beyond just managing safety compliance towards changing how workplace safety really works. Te ability to analyse and review historic logged data


and extract actionable information to reduce risk and improve workplace safety, is transformative. Data analysis and proactive maintenance can help to streamline the day-to-day monitoring of equipment, eliminate potential risk of human error, and free up time for safety managers to concentrate on driving meaningful behavioural safety improvements. Automatic notifications, for instance, can highlight when equipment components are likely to require maintenance or replacement, allowing pre- emptive action. Worker safety is improved, and costly downtime or operational delays minimised. Gas detectors, for example, rely on sensors that have a finite lifetime. Analysis of usage data can automatically highlight that a sensor’s end-of-life is approaching, and a replacement should be ordered. Similarly, correct detector operation is verified by using bottled gas testers before use. If the gas runs out, detectors cannot be tested. Safety protocol dictates that operatives cannot work. Yet by providing automated alerts about remaining capacity, spare cylinders can be ordered in good time. Te ability to instantly


Gas detectors need to be monitored and managed


48 www.engineerlive.com


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