| Spotlight
Left: While the Safety Shield system scans and detects everything around it, the smart technology filters out all objects apart from people
Inside plants
Although initially designed for use on construction sites, the Safety Shield AI technology is proving equally useful inside plants. The challenges of an indoor environment may seem very different, but the principles of collision avoidance remain the same. Although forklifts and side loaders seem much less
threatening than the huge excavators and bulldozers used on construction sites, they can pose just as great a risk. Used in confined spaces with pedestrians, often carrying loads that impair visibility, they are a leading cause of workplace injuries. Machine operators have clear visibility around the cab, but not always in front of them when they are carrying a load. By installing the AI system and HD cameras on the front and rear of the machine, an instant alert can be sent to the operator if, for example, someone walks out from behind racking into the path of a forklift. As on construction sites, the addition of the digital thumbs-up system and autonomous braking can further enhance the safety of the AI collision avoidance technology. Careful control of the auto stop feature is particularly crucial in an inside environment, where sudden braking could cause a load to fall from a vehicle and create a new risk of injury.
Long-term behavioural change As our industry’s use of AI collision avoidance grows,
it is becoming increasingly clear that warning plant operators of the presence of someone in their blind spot is just the first step. With the support of a cloud- based safety monitoring system, the technology is also having a long-term impact on reducing risk by changing workers’ behaviour. Safety Shield Vue provides the option to monitor safety
on site remotely, via web or mobile devices. The interface provides intuitive access to live video streaming and incident-based video capture, with up to 250 hours of video stored. The system can be integrated into existing software to keep all vital information on one platform. Site managers can view machines in real-time and gather key information about any safety incidents, including date, time, GPS location, and video footage inside and outside the plant at the time of the alert
(this begins before and after the detection, to provide context). As with the AI collision avoidance system itself, reports are customisable to meet each site’s unique requirements. Data can be exported into multiple formats for use in identifying trends, spotting specific issues, and predicting likely incidents. Crucially, this data and video footage is enabling a quick, purposeful response to safety issues. As well as being used for management reports and health and safety monitoring, findings from the system are informing changes on site to keep people safe. Data about incidents has been used to design on- site toolbox talks to tackle a specific issue through awareness raising and training. Health and safety teams are using information about risks to strategically plan the allocation of resource. In some cases, video of plant circulation has prompted changes to the site layout to improve safety and efficiency. “Changing the way people behave regarding safety is the number one goal,” explains Jonathan Guest. “Having the technology and being able to warn the operator is great, but you still need to educate the people around the operator. The use of data has been an evolution from the original AI solution and we’re still at an early stage in this data journey. However, evidence of the system’s ability to change behaviour is already clear, with an average 65% reduction in red zone incursions around plant fitted with the system in the UK in 2022/23.”
The power of AI
Although safety is the prime goal of the Safety Shield AI collision avoidance system, it is also bringing clear benefits in relation to efficiency and productivity. As a result of fewer safety incidents, less downtime is needed for investigation and claims. Improved site layout can have an impact on efficiency, as well as safety. Improvements in workers’ day-to-day behaviours mean that they are more focused, confident, and productive. The technology is tried, tested, and proved – now we just need to harness its potential across the construction sector. Talk to your supply chain and plant hire specialists about getting AI safety solutions fitted to your plant. AI is set to be a game changer for organisations willing to embrace the opportunities it offers.
www.waterpowermagazine.com | December 2023 | 11
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