Hazard Prevention & Control are the Key to Workers Safety
Working in the industrial maritime industry can be exciting and financially rewarding, but it also comes with many challenges and dangers. Workplace accidents leading to severe injuries or fatalities are not uncommon in this industry due to the high-risk workplace and machinery used. From onshore port workers to offshore platform workers, everyone in the maritime industry is at risk of being involved in an accident.
Common Challenges
Some of the main challenges faced while working in the maritime industry include:
Slips, trips, and falls
- Ranking 1st in major injuries, ranking 2nd in minor injuries, mainly due many slippery surfaces/oil stains on the floor, etc. [i]
- Obstructed walkways and confined spaces
- Falling from heights
Harsh and rugged environmental conditions
- Strong sun exposure, which may be leading to heat stress/fatigue
Onshore / Offshore machinery accidents
- Losing control of heavy machinery
- Machinery misuse due to fatigue/heat stress
Chemical and gas exposure
- Exposure to toxic gases and chemicals such as carbon monoxide (CO)
- Exposure to corrosive chemicals
Fire and electrical accidents
- Electrocution
For more detailed information about the risks and hazards in the maritime industry, please refer to the Australian Government Seafarers Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Authority.
[i] Source: 2021 Pier 71 Smart Port Challenge
Our Solutions
Universal Site Monitoring (USM) design and develop Australian-made advanced connected worker safety monitoring solutions: an integrated system of wearable personal safety monitoring devices, mobile apps, communications hubs, reporting, and management software, plus ancillary products, providing essential safety data accessible from anywhere, at any time.
Our Personal Safety Monitors & Mobile Apps collect live data and feed it into the fully integrated Universal Data Interface smart alert and navigation system. This live data enables proactive decision making, prevention of rising emergencies, and can save lives in case of an emergency.
These are some of the connected worker solution highlights that address the common challenges of the Industrial Marine environment:
Real-time Data Streaming and Communication
- Live data allows proactive decision making from facility controllers
- Live and automatic emergency call & text messages (cellular)
- Push-to-talk & text messages (mesh)
Real-time Location & Motion Sensing
- Find a worker’s location indoor, outdoor and underground
- Monitor a no motion event, speed over ground of the worker
- Show the vertical geo-location of the worker, i.e. the level within the ship where the worker is located, to be there as fast as possible in case of an emergency. This is possible thanks to the uni-, bi-, trilateration localisation capabilities of the Universal Site Monitoring’s proprietary Mesh Access Point system.
Slips, Trips & Falls
Monitoring & Alarm Capability
- Reporting G-Force events thanks through an in-built accelerometer in the Personal Safety Monitor PSM Hero 825 & 715
Biometric Monitoring
- Detecting early signs of heat stress/fatigue: heart rate monitoring & alarm capability
- Detecting early signs of infection: body temperature monitoring & alarm capability
- Ambient air temperature & atmospheric data monitoring & alarm capability
Geo-Fencing
- Ability to restrict areas where dangerous machinery is operating, where hazardous chemicals are stored, or high temperature zones
- Example of a check-in entry point geo-fence alert
