Personal hazard alert system
A smart PPE system which immediately warns road workers when in the proximity of overhead structures, such as high voltage electricity cables and bridges.
THE PROBLEM
Every year, people are killed or seriously injured when they come in to contact with live overhead electricity power lines whilst working on highways. Processes have been put in place to mitigate risk, but the high likelihood of injury is still present due to complacency, lack of focus / distraction and poor communication. The majority of maintenance works are carried out overnight, as a result one of the biggest problems is that road workers simply do not notice overhead lines.
OverheadSafe has been designed to improve awareness of those driving site vehicles and plant, helping reduce the likelihood of overhead strikes. This innovation will have a significant impact on the wellbeing of road workers by reducing their risk of injury, giving them peace of mind when working around overhead cables and other structures.
THE OBJECTIVES
1.
INSTANT ALERT
Site workers need to be given a clear and immediate warning when entering a high-risk area so that they can take necessary action to avert an accident. This must happen regardless of the situation.
2.
EASE OF DEPLOYMENT
The wearable technology is to be low-cost, lightweight, unobtrusive to movement and existing PPE with simple set-up.
3.
CONNECTIVITY
Base and receiver units is to provide status and alerts via the cloud on location, battery condition, movement and interactions.
THE SOLUTION
Roadworkers wearing the Smart PPE Vest, entering within 5 metres of a detectable Blue Warning Cone, which will flash repeatedly, alerting the user of the hazard.
OverheadSafe combines with a fully connected IoT system, providing back office access to device management: including Location of each unit, with unique ID and battery condition.
In the future, using the latest big data and machine learning models, an accurate picture of people’s working behaviours, whilst working in these zones could be captured. This knowledge will help to change procedures and working practices, ultimately removing the risk entirely.
HOW IT WORKS
OverheadSafe is a personal hazard safety system which mitigates individual risk to overhead structures, such as: high voltage electricity cables and bridges.
Roadworkers wearing the Smart PPE Vest will flash repeatedly when entering within 5 metres of a detectable Blue Warning Cone, alerting the user of the hazard.
At each location an Appointed Person is given training and a ‘Set-up and Installation Document’. This person is responsible for fixing the base units in the cones, distribution and collection of the vests and checking that they have sufficient charge.
ALIGNED WITH HIGHWAYS ENGLAND IMPERATIVES
1.
SAFETY
Instantly warns road workers of any potential overhead hazards.
Will provide behaviour data on use of the platform and could inform better working processes and procedures.
Supports Highways England safety imperative: Ensuring no one is harmed when travelling or working on our roads, including Road Worker Safety AFR, reduces the risk of loose live cables causing a hazard to road users.
2.
CUSTOMER
Improving User Satisfaction – Reduction of road closures following cable strikes will have a positive impact on user journey times.
Supporting the Smooth Flow of Traffic – Reduction in incidents will ensure maximum use of lanes within the network.
Indirectly, eliminating damaged electricity lines avoids disruption for customers of electricity providers who are a key stakeholder.
3.
DELIVERY
Designed, developed and built in house by Carnell’s dedicated innovation team.
Fully connected IoT (Internet of Things) cloud platform including device management, data insights and artificial intelligence.
System will operate independently and is easy to deploy.
Eliminates costs associated with cable strikes including road closures and fatalities (£2.08m).
OVERHEADSAFE USER GUIDE
CONTACT US
If you would like to know more about the team or our developments please contact:
Telephone: 01785 715472