The biggest problem with the construction, manufacturing, and agriculture industries is that they tend to have the highest incident rates. Aside from the enormous risk to human life, accidents at work cost millions of dollars in medical expenses, damaged goods and high insurance premiums every year.
Because thousands of interconnected machines and devices must work in harmony with each other, it’s relatively easy for a minor lapse in judgment to lead to deadly outcomes. This is why many businesses are creating IoT-enabled environments to remove the guesswork from manual processes. Smart monitoring allows employees to make efficient decisions and at the same time, staying out of harm’s way.
Industrial IoT solutions will pave the way forward for more efficient regulation of safety standards to secure better working space for the well-being of employees. Today, IoT devices have made it possible to monitor all parameters of business while providing actionable insights.
IoT Improves the Use of Equipment
IoT devices allow workers to monitor all industrial processes without ever coming close to dangerous equipment. This also applies to outdated methods because they can still be monitored with smart sensors. To make this possible, factories can deploy a number of Wi-Fi-enabled beacons attached to the machines and even their employees. A server connected to IoT devices will then process the data and conveniently display it on a screen.
Wi-Fi enables beacons to collect data in real-time, such as the location of the worker and their handling of the machine. They can detect when a worker isn’t following the recommended safety protocols that could lead to an incident. IoT devices can then raise alerts and warn managers about suspicious activity.
The use of motion sensors, for example, tracks every step workers do when handling equipment. The resulting data correlates their handling of the equipment to the safety standards and regulations as stipulated by the agencies. If the worker isn’t correctly handling the safety instructions, notifications are instantly sent to stop the machinery and check for possible errors.
Not only does this prevent work-related injuries, but it also significantly improves quality controls to detect possible defects in the manufactured goods and equipment failure.
Incidents Due to Damaged Machinery
Every machine has functional limitations. Implanted sensors can detect them easily. This allows personnel to closely monitor if the device is being overburdened. In many cases, it can provide actionable insights into safety precautions while acting on incomplete information. Sensors can also help in the monitoring and detection of physical parameters voltage, temperature, and humidity in real-time.
The quality control manager sets acceptable limitations to the use of devices. They can monitor their application through an enterprise-wide IoT network. Prompt notifications can then be sent when tremendous strain is applied to the equipment that could lead to damage.
Monitoring Toxic Substances
Part and parcel of working in the manufacture and construction industry is the production of toxic substances. Long-term exposure to heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and even radiation could threaten worker safety.
Employees can wear smart sensors on their person at all times when working in dangerous environments. Such smart-wear can track parameters to notice the signs of fatigue and nausea, encouraging the worker to take regular breaks and leaving the area temporarily if there’s a spike in toxic gas activity.
The Bottom Line
Businesses that provide their employees with IoT-enabled environments not only secure their health and safety but also improve their daily operations thanks to the actionable insight provided by smart sensors. The benefits? Higher bottom line, improved safety policies, and protection to workers from long-term health consequences.
Ready to create an IoT-enabled environment for your business? Get in touch with Tantiv4 for expert advice and consultation! Click here to set up an appointment at a time of your choosing.