Safety management system and safety management method for workers in factory workplaces

Abstract

To provide a safety management system and a safety management method of an operator at a factory field which can certainly secure safety of the operator who enters a management section for sectioning a range in which a mobile machine can travel.SOLUTION: A safety management system of an operator at a factory field concerning the present invention comprises: a smart device which is held by the operator who passes through a line entrance / exit gate and can generate application information about a lock operation and an unlock operation of a mobile machine; and an entrance management server comprising a determination unit which determines propriety of the lock operation or the unlock operation of the mobile machine on the basis of the application information received from the smart device, wherein the application information includes, as operator position identification information, an entrance / exit gate identification ID displayed at the line entrance / exit gate through which the operator passes and an operator identification ID for identifying the operator, the entrance management server transmits a control signal for instructing execution of an operation corresponding to the application information to a control device of the mobile machine and transmits a determination result to the smart device which transmits the application information according to the determination result of the determination unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a safety management system and a safety management method for workers in a factory workplace. [Background technology]

[0002] In factories such as steelworks, movable equipment and vehicles (hereinafter referred to as mobile machines) travel. For this reason, it is important to separate the travel area of ​​the mobile machines from the work area of ​​the workers from the viewpoint of ensuring the safety of the workers. When a worker enters the travel area of ​​the mobile machines, the worker performs a locking operation to cut off the power source of the mobile machines, and enters the travel area after surely stopping the travel of the mobile machines in the travel area. When the mobile machines are to be made to travel again, it is necessary to confirm that the workers have left the travel area before unlocking the mobile machines. In this case, when multiple workers enter the travel area of ​​the mobile machines, the first worker who enters the travel area performs the locking operation of the mobile machines and places an operation prohibition tag on the operation panel for performing the locking operation (and the unlocking operation) before entering the travel area. It is standardized that the other workers also place their respective operation prohibition tags on the operation panels before entering the travel area. In this way, when a worker who is leaving the travel area tries to perform an unlocking operation of the mobile machines, it is possible to determine whether other workers have entered the travel area, and it is possible to prevent the unlocking operation of the mobile machines from being performed while the workers remain in the travel area. On the other hand, when the travel area of ​​the mobile device is large, there may be multiple entrances and exits through which the mobile device can enter the travel area. In particular, in a steelworks factory where multiple mobile devices travel in the travel area and a wide travel area is set, setting only one entrance and exit makes it difficult to efficiently perform maintenance and inspection work on the mobile devices. However, the following problems arise in such a factory.

[0003] 9(a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining an example of application of a conventional method for managing the safety of workers in a factory workplace. As shown in FIG. 9(a) and (b), a management area including the travel area of ​​the mobile unit M is set in advance, and a safety area in which the safety of the workers is ensured is defined outside the management area. FIG. 9(a) shows a scene in which a worker A enters the management area from a line entrance / exit G1, which is an entrance / exit to the management area, and FIG. 9(b) shows a scene in which the worker A who has entered the management area exits to the safety area from another line entrance / exit G2. When entering the management area from the line entrance / exit G1, the worker A inputs a lock control signal to the mobile unit control device 100 by operating the machine side operation panel 101a installed at the line entrance / exit G1. The mobile unit control device 100 turns on (locks) the lock switch (power cutoff device) of the mobile unit M in response to the input of the lock control signal. In addition, the worker A enters the controlled area after placing an operation prohibition tag on the machine side operation panel 101a so that a third party does not turn off the lock switch (unlock operation). Then, the worker A, who has completed maintenance and inspection work on the mobile unit M in the controlled area and exits from another line entrance / exit G2, inputs an unlock control signal to the mobile unit control device 100 by operating the machine side operation panel 101b installed at the line entrance / exit G2. The mobile unit control device 100 turns off the lock switch of the mobile unit M in response to the input of the unlock control signal. However, in the example shown in Figs. 9(a) and (b), since the place where the worker performs the lock operation and the place where the worker performs the unlock operation are different, there is no problem when there is only one worker entering the controlled area, but there may be a problem when multiple workers enter the controlled area. That is, when the worker performs the unlock operation on the machine side operation panel 101b, he or she cannot recognize whether other workers are entering the controlled area, so there is a problem that the safety of other workers cannot be ensured by the unlock operation from the machine side operation panel 101b.

[0004] In contrast, FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining another example of the application of a conventional method for managing the safety of workers in a factory workplace. The safety management method shown in FIG. 10 is a method in which a central control room is installed, and a worker who is about to enter a controlled area requests an operator in the central control room to lock and unlock the mobile unit M. The operator in the central control room, who is requested to lock the mobile unit M by the worker, operates the central operation panel 102 to perform the lock and unlock operations. In this case, no problem occurs if the operator in the central control room correctly recognizes the entry status of multiple workers into the controlled area. However, if the number of workers entering and exiting the controlled area increases, there is a possibility that the safety of the workers entering the controlled area may not be ensured due to human error, such as a misjudgment by the operator in the central control room or a worker forgetting to contact the operator when exiting from the line entrance / exit gate, which becomes a problem. From this perspective, in order to ensure the safety of workers entering the driving area of ​​the mobile unit, it is desirable to automatically perform the lock and unlock operations of the mobile unit as much as possible.

[0005] In light of this background, various entrance / exit management systems have been proposed to ensure the safety of workers. Specifically, Patent Document 1 proposes a dangerous area entrance / exit management system having a gate provided at the boundary between a dangerous area and a safe area where a mobile device travels, an ID tag reader provided at the gate for identifying the IDs of people entering the dangerous area and people leaving the dangerous area, an entry / exit output means for instructing whether or not to enter the dangerous area, and a gate control means for opening and closing the gate. In this system, the entry of a worker into the dangerous area by opening the gate is performed on the condition that the ID of the worker is recognized, a signal allowing entry into the dangerous area is generated, and the vehicle is stopped. In addition, the exit of a worker from the dangerous area by opening the gate is performed on the condition that the ID of the worker is recognized. Furthermore, this system calculates the number of workers actually present in the dangerous area from the number of workers who have entered the dangerous area and the number of workers who have left the dangerous area, and stops the vehicle if a worker is present in the dangerous area. Patent document 2 also proposes a system that includes multiple magnetic field generating devices that generate magnetic fields in predetermined areas of a managed area, RFID tags that are activated by the generated magnetic fields and transmit tag information, and an RFID reader that receives the tag information, and that uses a first magnetic field generating device and a second magnetic field generating device to manage the entry and exit of workers between the divided areas that divide the managed area. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-71217 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2020-17165 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, the entrance / exit management system described in Patent Document 1 installs a gate at the boundary between the danger zone and the safety zone where the mobile device travels. Therefore, when a wide area is set as the danger zone, such as the danger zone in a steelworks, the number of gates required increases, and the equipment cost increases. In addition, the method of identifying the person entering the danger zone and the person leaving the danger zone by electromagnetic means such as an ID tag reader is prone to equipment malfunctions when the surrounding environment is not necessarily good, such as the factory work area of ​​a steelworks, and the safety of the workers may not be ensured due to erroneous recognition by the sensor. In addition, there is a problem that a lot of effort is required to maintain the electronic devices at all the gates. On the other hand, the entrance / exit management system described in Patent Document 2 is a system that can be applied even when a physical gate is not provided, but when a wide danger zone where multiple mobile devices travel is provided, multiple magnetic field generators and RFID readers are required, which leads to an increase in equipment costs. In addition, in a place where multiple mobile devices travel and noise is likely to be generated in the magnetic field and RFID reader, these devices are prone to malfunction and erroneous detection, and locking and unlocking the mobile devices based on such information poses a high risk in ensuring the safety of the workers.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a safety management system and a safety management method for workers in a factory workplace that can reliably ensure the safety of workers who enter a controlled area that defines the area in which mobile devices can travel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The safety management system for workers in a factory worksite of the present invention is a safety management system for workers in a factory worksite including a controlled area that defines the area in which mobile devices can travel, a safety area located outside the controlled area, and a line entrance / exit gate located at the boundary between the controlled area and the safety area, and comprises: a smart device carried by a worker passing through the line entrance / exit gate and capable of generating application information for locking and unlocking operations of the mobile device; and an entry management server including a judgment unit that judges whether or not the mobile device can be locked or unlocked based on the application information received from the smart device, wherein the application information includes, as worker position identification information, an entrance / exit gate identification ID displayed at the line entrance / exit gate through which the worker passes, and a worker identification ID that identifies the worker, and the entry management server transmits a control signal to a control device of the mobile device instructing the execution of an operation corresponding to the application information depending on the judgment result of the judgment unit, and also transmits the judgment result to the smart device that sent the application information.

[0010] If the application information is a request for locking the mobile device, the judgment unit outputs a judgment result that permits the locking operation of the mobile device on the condition that the worker location identification information matches pre-registered identification information, and if the application information is a request for unlocking the mobile device, the judgment unit outputs a judgment result that permits the unlocking operation of the mobile device on the condition that the worker location identification information matches pre-registered identification information and that no application information requesting a locking operation of the mobile device has currently been received from another smart device.

[0011] When the application information is an application for locking the mobile device, the worker location identification information preferably includes a mobile device identification ID of a mobile device within the controlled area.

[0012] A display device is installed in the factory work area, and the access control server identifies the worker identification ID of the worker currently entering the controlled area, and the display device displays the worker name corresponding to the worker identification ID identified by the access control server.

[0013] The entrance / exit identification ID may be displayed facing the safety area of ​​the line entrance / exit.

[0014] The entrance / exit identification ID displayed at the line entrance / exit is a QR code (registered trademark), and the smart device generates the application information by reading the QR code with an imaging device provided in the smart device.

[0015] The method for managing the safety of workers in a factory worksite of the present invention is a method for managing the safety of workers in a factory worksite including a controlled area that defines an area in which mobile devices can travel, a safety area located outside the controlled area, and a line entrance / exit gate located at the boundary between the controlled area and the safety area, and includes the steps of: a smart device carried by a worker passing through the line entrance / exit gate generating application information regarding locking and unlocking operations of the mobile device; and an entry management server determining whether or not to lock or unlock the mobile device based on the application information received from the smart device, wherein the application information includes, as worker location identification information, an entrance / exit gate identification ID displayed at the line entrance / exit gate through which the worker passes, and a worker identification ID that identifies the worker, and the entry management server transmits a control signal to a control device of the mobile device instructing it to perform an operation corresponding to the application information depending on the judgment result, and also transmits the judgment result to the smart device that transmitted the application information. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the safety management system and safety management method for workers in a factory workplace of the present invention, it is possible to reliably ensure the safety of workers who enter a controlled area that defines the area in which mobile devices can travel. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a safety management system for workers in a factory workplace according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a safety management system for workers in a factory workplace according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a coke oven facility in a steelworks. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the access management server shown in FIGS. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a network configuration of a safety management system for workers in a factory workplace according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen configuration of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow of the dedicated application according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an entrance / exit identification ID displayed at a line entrance / exit. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example in which a conventional method for managing safety of workers in a factory workplace is applied. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining another example in which a conventional method for managing safety of workers in a factory workplace is applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, a safety management system and a safety management method for workers in a factory workplace according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] [Factory Workshop] First, a factory work site to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. The factory work site to which the present invention is applied is a factory work site in which a mobile machine capable of traveling is arranged, and a predetermined area including the range in which the mobile machine travels is partitioned as a controlled area. A safety area is provided outside the controlled area, and a line entrance / exit is provided at the boundary between the controlled area and the safety area. The safety area is set to a range wider than the travel range of the mobile machine so that accidents do not occur due to contact between the mobile machine traveling in the controlled area and workers in the factory work site. The line entrance / exit is intended to limit the places where workers can pass between the safety area and the controlled area, and is often used to prevent workers from mistakenly entering the controlled area by means of a manual or automatic gate or the like. In order to ensure the safety of the workers, it is essential that a locking operation is performed to shut off the power source of the mobile machine while the workers enter the controlled area from the safety area to perform maintenance and inspection work on the mobile machine.

[0020] In the example shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a mobile machine M is provided in the controlled area, and two line entrance / exit gates G1 and G2 are provided at the boundary between the controlled area and the safety area. However, the number of mobile machines M arranged in the controlled area may be two or more, and the number of line entrance / exit gates may be three or more. As an example of a factory work site to which the present invention is applied, a coke oven facility in a steelworks as shown in FIG. 3 can be exemplified. As shown in FIG. 3, the coke oven facility in a steelworks has a plurality of combustion chambers and a plurality of carbonization chambers arranged alternately, and pre-treated coal is charged into each carbonization chamber by coal loading cars 10a to 10c. The coal charged into the carbonization chamber is carbonized by burning fuel gas in the combustion chamber at a temperature of 1100 to 1350°C for about 12 to 14 hours while blocking air. The red-hot coke carbonized in the carbonization chamber (red-hot coke) is discharged to the outside of the carbonization chamber through the furnace cover by pushers 11a to 11c. The red-hot coke discharged by the extruders 11a to 11c is transferred to the fire extinguishing cars 13a and 13b by the guide cars 12a to 12c arranged opposite the extruders 11a to 11c. The fire extinguishing cars 13a and 13b receive the red-hot coke from the guide cars 12a to 12c and transport it to the wet quenching system 14.

[0021] The coal loading cars 10a-10c, pushers 11a-11c, guide cars 12a-12c, and fire extinguishing cars 13a, 13b that constitute the coke oven facility are all mobile machines that can run on a laid track. In addition to these, inspection vehicles for maintenance and inspection may be placed on the track on which the pushers 11a-11c run, and such inspection vehicles also constitute the coke oven facility and are included in the mobile machines. On the other hand, the coal loading cars 10a-10c and guide cars 12a-12c, etc. may be operated automatically (unmanned), but the mobile machines may also be equipped with a driver's cab or an on-board operation panel for operating the running of the mobile machines. A predetermined area including these multiple mobile machines is set as a management area.

[0022] Returning to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the factory work site is equipped with a mobile unit control device 100 for controlling the movement of the mobile unit M. The mobile unit control device 100 can realize a locking operation for stopping the movement of the mobile unit M in the controlled area and electrically or mechanically cutting off the power source of the mobile unit M so as to maintain the stopped state based on a control signal generated inside or an external control signal. The mobile unit control device 100 can also realize an unlocking operation for releasing the locking operation in which the power source has been cut off based on a control signal generated inside or an external control signal. Note that the above locking operation is performed on all the mobile units M when there are multiple mobile units M in the controlled area, whereas the unlocking operation may be performed only on some of the mobile units M. This is because, when a worker enters the controlled area, it is necessary to reliably stop all the mobile units M, whereas the unlocking operation may be performed only on the minimum number of mobile units M.

[0023] [Safety Management System] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a safety management system for workers in a factory workplace according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a smart device 1 carried by a worker passing through the line entrance / exit gates G1 and G2 in the above-mentioned factory workplace and capable of generating application information for locking or unlocking the mobile device M, and an entry management server 2 including a judgment unit that judges whether or not the mobile device M can be locked or unlocked based on the application information received from the smart device 1. The application information generated by the smart device 1 includes an entrance / exit gate identification ID displayed on the display devices 3a and 3b installed at the line entrance / exit gates through which the worker passes, and a worker identification ID that identifies the worker, as worker position identification information. In addition, the entry management server 2 transmits a control signal to the mobile device control device 100 instructing the execution of an operation corresponding to the application information according to the judgment result of the judgment unit, and transmits the judgment result to the smart device 1 that transmitted the application information.

[0024] [Smart Devices] The smart device 1 is an electronic device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal that has built-in communication functions and simple computer functions and can utilize information processing functions by software. The smart device 1 also has computer functions such as a microprocessor (CPU / MPU) and a wired or wireless network connection function inside the electronic device, and can link with external devices and can be used with multiple application software built in. The smart device 1 is carried by a worker in a factory workplace, and when working together with other workers, each worker carries the smart device 1 for the purpose of communicating with each other and progressing the work. Therefore, a worker in the factory workplace and the smart device 1 assigned to that worker can be considered to be in the same position in the factory workplace.

[0025] The smart device 1 generates application information for a lock operation or an unlock operation of the mobile unit M in response to an operation by a worker. The application information includes lock operation application information for cutting off the power source of the mobile unit M when the worker is about to enter the controlled area from the safe area, or unlock operation application information for unlocking the mobile unit M and opening the power source when the worker exits the controlled area from the safe area. Furthermore, the application information includes an entrance / exit gate identification ID displayed at the line entrance / exit gate through which the worker passes, and a worker identification ID for identifying the worker, as worker position identification information. In addition, the worker position identification information preferably includes a mobile unit identification ID for identifying the mobile unit M designated by the worker. Since workers often enter the controlled area for the purpose of performing maintenance and inspection work on the mobile unit M, if the mobile unit M on which the worker is about to work is identified, it becomes the position information of the worker in the controlled area, and rescue activities for the worker can be performed quickly in the event of a disaster.

[0026] The entrance / exit identification ID is an identification ID assigned to each line entrance / exit in order to identify the line entrance / exit, and is specified by a symbol, code, numerical information, etc. The worker identification ID is an identification ID assigned to each worker in order to identify the worker who is entering the controlled area, and is specified by a worker number, job number, etc. However, the worker identification ID may be identification information of a smart device carried by the worker. This is because the smart device 1 is carried by each of all workers who are qualified to enter the controlled area, and the correspondence between the smart device 1 and its owner is specified in advance.

[0027] The entrance / exit identification ID is "displayed at the line entrance / exit" means that the entrance / exit identification ID is displayed near the line entrance / exit. In this case, the entrance / exit identification ID is preferably displayed facing the safety area of ​​the line entrance / exit. In other words, it is preferable that the entrance / exit identification ID is displayed so that the worker can visually recognize it before entering the controlled area from the line entrance / exit, and that the entrance / exit identification ID is displayed so that the worker can visually recognize it after exiting from the controlled area to the safety area from the line entrance / exit. This allows the smart device 1 to generate lock operation application information before the worker enters the controlled area from the line entrance / exit. In addition, the smart device 1 can generate unlock operation application information after the worker exits from the line entrance / exit to the safety area. This makes it possible to prevent the worker from generating application information in a state where he or she has mistakenly entered the controlled area.

[0028] Dedicated application software (dedicated app) for implementing the functions of the safety management system of this embodiment is installed inside the smart device 1, and accepts input of the entrance / exit identification ID displayed at the line entrance / exit from the worker. The entrance / exit identification ID may be input from the touch panel of the smart device 1, or may be input using a voice input function of the smart device 1. In this case, it is preferable to display the entrance / exit identification ID displayed at the line entrance / exit as a QR code, and input the entrance / exit identification ID by reading the QR code using an imaging device of the smart device 1. This is because a QR code reader can be installed as application software in commercially available smart devices, which allows the entrance / exit identification ID to be imported into the smart device 1, making it easy to generate application information. The display of the line entrance / exit may be a barcode instead of a QR code.

[0029] The application information is generated using a dedicated app for realizing the functions of the safety management system of this embodiment. The entrance / exit identification ID included in the application information is generated by the dedicated app importing the entrance / exit identification ID displayed at the line entrance / exit as described above. The worker identification ID for identifying the worker is generated by importing information that identifies the owner, since such information is contained in advance inside the smart device 1. However, if the worker can be identified by authentication information (e.g., a login ID) for logging in to the dedicated app, such authentication information may be used as the worker identification ID.

[0030] As described above, the entrance / exit identification ID displayed at the line entrance / exit and the worker identification ID that identifies the worker are information that identifies the worker who is entering the controlled area from the safety area and the worker who has exited from the controlled area to the safety area, and identifies which line entrance / exit the worker will pass through, and these are called worker position identification information. Note that the application information may include other information about the worker entering the controlled area and the entry situation, such as the date and time when the worker submitted the application information, the worker's affiliation (the name of the company or organization to which the worker belongs), and the worker's organizational role (manager, supervisor, worker, etc.).

[0031] [Access Control Server] The access management server 2 has a function of managing the safety of workers in the factory workplace. The access management server 2 includes a determination unit that receives application information generated by the smart device 1 and determines whether or not to allow the mobile device M to be locked or unlocked based on the received application information. When the worker location identification information included in the application information is included in preregistered identification information, the determination unit determines that the worker location identification information matches the preregistered identification information. This confirms that the worker has passed through a regular line entrance / exit gate and that the worker is qualified to enter the controlled area. The preregistered identification information is the worker identification ID of the worker qualified to enter the controlled area and the entrance / exit identification ID located in the controlled area.

[0032] When the determination unit determines that the application for the locking or unlocking operation of the mobile device M is permitted, the entry management server 2 transmits a control signal to the mobile device control device 100 to instruct the execution of an operation corresponding to the application information according to the determination result that permits the application for the locking or unlocking operation of the mobile device M, and transmits the determination result to the smart device 1 that transmitted the application information. That is, the entry management server 2 transmits a control signal to the mobile device control device 100 to instruct the locking or unlocking operation of the mobile device M. Furthermore, the entry management server 2 transmits information indicating that the locking or unlocking operation of the mobile device M has been permitted to the smart device 1 that transmitted the application information. Note that the application information is an application for locking the mobile device M, and the information transmitted to the smart device 1 when the determination unit permits the application may be entry permission information permitting entry into the controlled area. This is because the power source of the mobile device M in the controlled area is cut off, and the safety of the workers in the controlled area is ensured.

[0033] When the determination unit determines that the application for the locking or unlocking operation of the mobile device M is not permitted, the entry management server 2 transmits information indicating that the application for the locking or unlocking operation of the mobile device M is not permitted to the smart device 1 that transmitted the application information. Note that the application information is an application for the locking operation of the mobile device M, and when the determination unit does not permit the application, the information transmitted to the smart device 1 may be entry denial information that does not permit entry into the controlled area. This is because it is possible to prevent workers from entering the controlled area through a wrong line entrance / exit and to suppress entry of workers who are not qualified to enter into the controlled area. In this case, the entry management server 2 does not permit the application for the locking or unlocking operation of the mobile device M, and therefore transmits a control signal to the mobile device M to maintain the previous locked or unlocked state.

[0034] It is preferable to use a pulse signal as the control signal for the locking or unlocking operation transmitted from the access management server 2 to the mobile station control device 100. In this case, the pulse signal for performing the locking or unlocking operation is continuously transmitted not only when the lock state of the mobile station M is changed, but also when the current state is maintained. This is to enable a failure of the access management server 2 to be determined based on the transmission state of the pulse signal, and to prevent accidental transmission of a locking control signal or an unlocking control signal for the mobile station M due to a failure of the access management server 2. Therefore, the control signal transmitted from the access management server 2 to the mobile station control device 100 according to the determination result of the determination unit is a control signal for switching the lock state when the determination unit permits the application, and is a control signal for maintaining the current control signal when the determination unit does not permit the application.

[0035] The configuration of the entry management server 2 applicable to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The entry management server 2 is configured by a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer. As shown in Fig. 4, the entry management server 2 includes a communication unit 21 and is configured to be able to communicate with other devices via a network. The entry management server 2 is connected to, for example, an LTE router 4 (see Figs. 1 and 2) and is configured to be able to transmit and receive information to and from the smart device 1. The entry management server 2 includes a reception unit 22 and receives application information transmitted from the smart device 1, such as application information for a lock operation for the mobile device M and application information for an unlock operation to release the power source of the mobile device M.

[0036] The access control server 2 includes a storage unit 23, and stores information including the worker identification ID of a worker who is qualified to work in a preregistered factory workshop and the entrance / exit identification ID of the factory workshop. The storage unit 23 may store in advance a mobile device identification ID that identifies a mobile device M in a controlled area. The storage unit 23 also holds application information up to the present time and the corresponding judgment result of the judgment unit 24 for each worker identification ID. However, when the access control server 2 transmits an unlock operation control signal to the mobile device control device 100, the access control server 2 may delete (reset) the past application information and the corresponding judgment result of the judgment unit 24 from the storage unit 23. This is because while the mobile device M is traveling, no worker has entered the controlled area, and access control to the controlled area can be newly started.

[0037] The access control server 2 includes a determination unit 24, which determines whether the worker location identification information included in the application information sent from the smart device 1 matches the identification information registered in advance. The determination unit 24 also determines whether the current unlock operation application is acceptable or not, using application information previously accepted from other smart devices other than the smart device that sent the currently accepted application information and the judgment result. In this case, the information stored in the memory unit 23 is referenced.

[0038] The access control server 2 includes a control signal output unit 25 and has a function of transmitting a lock control signal for cutting off the power source and a function of transmitting an unlock control signal for opening the power source to the mobile station control device 100 based on the judgment result in the judgment unit 24. When the control signal output unit 25 transmits a lock control signal to the mobile station control device 100, a command to cut off the power sources of all mobile stations M in the controlled area is transmitted. It is preferable that the control signal output unit 25 transmits the control signal by a pulse signal and that state is held by the mobile station control device 100.

[0039] The access control server 2 includes a determination result output unit 26, and transmits the determination result by the determination unit 24 to the smart device 1 that transmitted the lock operation application information or the unlock operation application information. In this case, it is preferable that the determination result output unit 26 transmits the determination result to the smart device 1 after receiving a signal indicating that the lock operation or unlock operation of the mobile device M has been completed in response to the lock control signal or the unlock control signal sent from the control signal output unit 25 to the mobile device control device 100.

[0040] [When entering a controlled area] An embodiment in which a worker passes through a line entrance / exit to enter a controlled area will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a state in which a worker A passes through a line entrance / exit G1 to enter a controlled area. The worker A generates application information (lock operation application information) for locking the mobile device M using dedicated application software (dedicated app) of a safety management system installed in the smart device 1 that the worker A possesses. In this case, the worker identification ID of the worker who generates the application information is specified by personal authentication when logging in to the dedicated app. Alternatively, the worker identification ID may be imported in advance into the dedicated app as the owner of the smart device 1, and the worker identification ID may be specified by the user ID at the time of logging in.

[0041] The worker A identifies the entrance / exit identification ID that is assigned to the line entrance / exit gate G1 and displayed at the line entrance / exit gate G1 as the worker position identification information included in the lock operation application information. In this case, the worker A may input the entrance / exit gate identification ID into the smart device 1 that generates the application information from a touch panel or by using a voice input function. Also, the entrance / exit gate identification ID displayed as a QR code as described above may be read by the imaging device of the smart device 1 and imported into a dedicated app. Then, the worker A uses the communication function of the smart device 1 that generated the application information to transmit the application information to the entry management server 2 via the LTE router 4 or the like.

[0042] The entry management server 2, which has received the lock operation application information from the smart device 1 carried by the worker A, determines in its determination unit 24 whether or not to permit the lock operation of the mobile device M. Specifically, when the worker location identification information included in the lock operation application information is included in the identification information registered in advance, the determination unit 24 determines that the worker location identification information matches the identification information registered in advance. This confirms that the worker is entering the controlled area through the regular line entrance / exit and that the worker is qualified to enter the controlled area. The determination unit 24 then outputs a determination result that permits the lock operation application.

[0043] When the determination unit 24 outputs a determination result permitting the lock operation application, the entry management server 2 transmits a lock control signal (a control signal for locking the mobile device M) corresponding to the lock operation application of the mobile device M to the mobile device control device 100. Furthermore, the entry management server 2 transmits information permitting the lock operation application (lock permission information) or information permitting entry into the controlled area to the smart device 1 that transmitted the lock operation application information as a determination result. However, it is preferable that the entry management server 2 transmits the lock control signal to the mobile device control device 100, and transmits the entry permission information after receiving a lock completion signal from the mobile device control device 100 indicating that the mobile device M in the controlled area has stopped and the power source of the mobile device M has been locked. This is to ensure that the mobile device M in the controlled area is stopped at the stage when the worker A is about to enter the controlled area.

[0044] As described above, when the entry permission information is sent to the smart device 1 that sent the lock operation application information, the worker A can check the entry permission information on the screen of the smart device 1. Then, the worker A can enter the controlled area from the line entry / exit specified in the lock operation application information. A gate for restricting the entry of the worker may be provided at the line entry / exit. This is to suppress entry into the controlled area at a stage when the entry permission information is not displayed on the smart device 1 carried by the worker. Also, a gate control device may be provided at the gate for restricting entry, and opening and closing of the gate may be controlled based on information displayed on the smart device 1 that received the entry permission information. In this case, it is preferable that the gate control device has a short-distance wireless communication function such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and a function for reading image information, etc., and controls the opening and closing of the gate by authenticating the entry permission information received by the smart device 1 using these. This is because it is possible to reliably prevent the holder of the smart device 1 that has not received the entry permission information from the entry management server 2 from mistakenly entering the controlled area.

[0045] This embodiment can also be applied to a case where there are a plurality of workers entering the controlled area. The entry management server 2 accepts application information for each worker identification ID of a worker who is qualified to enter the controlled area and transmits the determination result of the determination unit 24, so that it can determine which worker has entered the controlled area. In this case, when the entry management server 2 receives lock operation application information from the smart device 1 of another worker (for example, B) in a state where a lock operation control signal is being transmitted to the mobile device control device 100 based on the lock operation application information from the worker A, the entry management server 2 performs the following process. That is, at the time of receiving the lock operation application information from the smart device 1 held by the worker B, the entry management server 2 transmits a lock control signal to the mobile device control device 100 in response to the lock operation application information from the worker A. Therefore, when the worker location identification information included in the application information from the worker B matches the identification information registered in advance, the determination unit 24 transmits a determination result indicating that the lock operation application of the mobile device M is permitted to the smart device 1 held by the worker B. On the other hand, the access management server 2 transmits a lock control signal to the mobile station control device 100 to maintain the lock of the mobile station M. However, since the lock control signal for the mobile station M has already been transmitted based on the lock operation application information from the worker A, if the access management server 2 holds the determination result of permitting the lock operation application information from the worker B, there is no need to transmit a lock control signal corresponding to the lock operation application information from the worker B to the mobile station control device 100 again. Furthermore, when the worker A leaves the controlled area and an unlock operation application is made, the lock operation application from the worker B is permitted, so the transmission of the lock control signal to the mobile station control device 100 is continued. As a result, while any worker is in the controlled area, the lock of the mobile station M is maintained, and the safety of the workers is ensured.

[0046] [Implementation of procedure for exiting the controlled area] An embodiment in which a worker exits from a controlled area to a safe area will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a state in which a worker A passes through the line entrance / exit G2 and exits from the controlled area to the safe area. In this case, the worker A uses a dedicated app for the safety management system installed in the smart device 1 that the worker A owns to generate application information for unlocking the mobile device M (unlock operation application information). The worker identification ID included in the unlock operation application information may be generated by personal authentication when logging in to the dedicated app, but if the worker identification ID is already held in the smart device 1 when entering the controlled area, there is no need to input the worker identification ID again.

[0047] Meanwhile, as the line entrance / exit identification ID included in the unlocking operation application information, the information assigned to the line entrance / exit G2 from which the worker A exited to the safety area is newly imported into the smart device 1. This is because it is confirmed that the worker A exited from the regular line entrance / exit. The method of identifying the entrance / exit identification ID displayed on the line entrance / exit G2 is the same as above. Then, using the communication function of the smart device 1 that generated the unlocking operation application information, worker A sends the unlocking operation application information to the entry management server 2 via the LTE router 4 or the like.

[0048] The entry management server 2, which has received the unlock operation application information from the smart device 1 carried by the worker A, determines in its determination unit 24 whether or not the unlock operation of the mobile device M can be performed. Specifically, when the worker location identification information included in the unlock operation application information is included in the identification information registered in advance, the determination unit 24 determines that the worker location identification information matches the identification information registered in advance. This confirms that the worker has passed through the regular line entrance / exit and exited into the safety area, and that the worker is qualified to enter the controlled area. The determination unit 24 then outputs a determination result that the unlock operation application is permitted.

[0049] When the determination unit 24 outputs a determination result that permits the unlock operation application, the entry management server 2 transmits an unlock operation control signal (a control signal for unlocking the mobile device M) corresponding to the unlock operation application of the mobile device M to the mobile device control device 100. Furthermore, the entry management server 2 transmits information permitting the unlock operation application (unlock operation permission information) to the smart device 1 that transmitted the unlock operation application information as a determination result. However, it is preferable that the entry management server 2 transmits the unlock control signal to the mobile device control device 100 and transmits the unlock operation permission information after receiving an unlock completion signal from the mobile device control device 100 indicating that the power source of the mobile device M in the controlled area has been released. This notifies the worker A that the mobile device M will start moving, and makes it clear that entry into the controlled area is prohibited.

[0050] This embodiment can also be applied to a case where there are multiple workers entering the controlled area. The entry management server 2 accepts application information for each worker identification ID of a worker who is qualified to enter the controlled area, and the determination unit 24 determines whether the application is acceptable, so that it is easy to determine which worker is entering the controlled area. In this case, it is preferable that the determination unit 24 of the entry management server 2 outputs a determination result that permits the unlock application for the mobile device M, in response to the unlock operation application information from the smart device 1 held by the worker A, on the condition that the worker location identification information matches the identification information registered in advance, and that no lock operation application information for the mobile device M has been received from the smart device 1 held by a worker other than the worker A at the current time.

[0051] Specifically, when the access management server 2 receives unlock operation application information from the smart device 1 of the worker A in a state where a lock control signal is being transmitted to the mobile device control device 100 based on the lock operation application information from the worker B, the access management server 2 performs the following process. That is, at the time of receiving the unlock operation application information from the smart device 1 possessed by the worker A, the access management server 2 transmits a lock control signal corresponding to the lock operation application information from the worker B to the mobile device control device 100. Therefore, even if the worker location identification information included in the unlock operation application information from the worker A matches the identification information registered in advance, the determination unit 24 receives the lock operation application information of the mobile device M from the smart device 1 possessed by the worker B, and outputs a determination result that the unlock operation application of the mobile device M is not permitted, and the access management server 2 transmits unlock operation disapproval information that does not permit the unlock operation application to the smart device 1 possessed by the worker A as a determination result. In addition, the access management server 2 maintains the lock control signal being transmitted to the mobile device control device 100. In this case, the safety of Worker A is ensured because Worker A has already left the safety area, and the safety of Worker B is also ensured because the lock operation permission information for Worker B is maintained.

[0052] After that, when worker B exits from the line entrance / exit to the safety area, when unlock operation application information is transmitted from the smart device 1 of worker B, the determination unit 24 outputs a determination result that permits the unlock operation application of the mobile device M on the condition that the worker location identification information included in the unlock operation application information from worker B matches the identification information registered in advance and that the lock operation application information of the mobile device M has not been received from the smart device 1 held by a worker other than worker B. Then, the entry management server 2 transmits unlock operation permission information to the smart device 1 held by worker B. This allows worker B to recognize that the mobile device M in the controlled area starts to move. However, while transmitting the unlock operation permission information to the smart device 1 held by worker B, information indicating that the unlock operation permission information has been transmitted may be transmitted to the smart device 1 of worker A that has received the unlock operation non-permission information.

[0053] [Network System] The safety management system of this embodiment can be realized by a network configuration exemplified in Fig. 5. A worker who is qualified to enter the controlled area of ​​a factory workshop has a smart device 1 carried therein, which stores information such as the worker's name and worker identification ID. Each smart device 1 has application software (dedicated app) dedicated to the safety management system of this embodiment installed therein. The dedicated app has a function of generating lock operation application information and unlock operation application information for the mobile device M. As shown in Fig. 5, the smart device 1 is configured to be able to transmit and receive information to and from the entry management server 2 via an LTE router 4 using an LTE (4G) network or the like, which is a wireless communication standard available as a public line.

[0054] It is preferable to provide a VPN (Virtual Private Network) router 5 with a VPN connection function between the LTE router 4 and the access control server 2. This is because the use of a virtual dedicated line can reduce security risks to the safety control system. Furthermore, it is preferable to provide a security switch (SW) 6 between the VPN router 5 and the access control server 2, configured to detect and block external attacks against the network of the safety control system.

[0055] Meanwhile, the access management server 2 is connected to the mobile device control device 100. The safety management system of this embodiment may be applied to an existing mobile device M and mobile device control device 100. In this case, a lock control signal and an unlock control signal are sent as external control signals to the mobile device control device 100. However, in order to ensure the safety of workers even in the event of unintended trouble such as an abnormality in communication with the smart device 1 or a failure of the access management server 2, it is preferable that the access management server 2 transmits the lock control signal and the unlock control signal in a pulsed form so that the mobile device M is not unlocked due to a malfunction even if an abnormality occurs in the access management server 2.

[0056] [Display device] The safety management system of this embodiment includes a display device connected to the entry management server 2. The entry management server 2 preferably identifies the worker ID of the worker currently entering the controlled area based on the application information from the smart device 1 and the judgment result in the judgment unit 24, and displays the worker name corresponding to the worker ID identified by the entry management server 2 on the display device. The display device may also display the entrance / exit gate identification ID corresponding to the worker ID based on the worker ID thus identified. This allows the line entrance / exit gate through which the worker currently entering the controlled area entered the controlled area to be identified. Furthermore, when the worker position identification information includes the mobile device identification ID of the mobile device M specified by the worker, the mobile device identification ID corresponding to the worker identification ID may be displayed. The entrance / exit gate identification ID is information related to the entry route of the worker who entered the controlled area, and the mobile device identification ID is information related to the work position of the worker in the controlled area, so displaying these on the display device makes it easier for the manager to manage work safety.

[0057] The display device is, for example, a display. The display device may be installed in a factory management building that manages the factory work area. This is because the number of workers entering the controlled area can be grasped and the lock state of the mobile device M can be confirmed. The display device may be installed at the line entrance / exit gate arranged in the controlled area or at the mobile device M. This is because other workers entering the controlled area can be confirmed and safety can be easily ensured in collaborative work. Here, a method for identifying the worker identification ID of the worker currently entering the controlled area based on the application information from the smart device 1 and the judgment result in the judgment unit 24 is as follows. That is, when a specific smart device 1 transmits lock operation application information for the mobile device M, the lock operation application information includes an entrance / exit identification ID, so that when the entry management server 2 transmits entry permission information to the smart device 1, it is possible to identify which line entrance / exit the worker entered the controlled area from. Then, when the entry management server 2 receives unlock operation application information for releasing the power source of the mobile device M, it is possible to identify which line entrance / exit the worker exited to the safety area from. Furthermore, since the lock operation application information and unlock operation application information include a worker identification ID, the access control server 2 can determine that a specific worker has entered the controlled area from the time that it sends access permission information to the smart device 1 of that worker to the time that it receives the unlock operation application information.

[0058] In this way, the access control server 2 can identify whether a specific worker has entered the controlled area as time-series information. Then, the access control server 2 can identify whether each worker has entered the controlled area at the current time based on the lock operation application information and the unlock operation application information transmitted from each smart device 1 possessed by multiple workers.

[0059] The display device of this embodiment may update the display screen as needed when identifying the worker identification ID currently entering the controlled area and displaying the worker name corresponding to the identified worker identification ID. Also, the display may be updated at the timing when the entry management server 2 transmits application information to any of the smart devices 1. An example of a preferred embodiment of the display device is shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen configuration of a display device 7 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is an example in which the worker location identification information in the application information includes a mobile device identification ID, and displays the name of the worker currently entering the controlled area based on the entry permission information and the name of the mobile device corresponding to the mobile device identification ID specified when the worker generates the lock operation application information. By providing such a display device 7 in a factory work area, the working status of the worker in the controlled area can be recognized, and the safety management of the worker becomes easier.

[0060] [Special app] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a process flow of dedicated application software (dedicated app) that can be installed in a smart device 1. As shown in FIG. 7, a worker who enters a controlled area performs identity authentication by logging in to a dedicated app (entry application app) installed in the smart device 1 that the worker possesses, and a worker identification ID is identified. Then, from the application information generation screen, either "lock operation application information" or "unlock operation application information" is selected, and the corresponding application information is generated. The worker position identification information included in the application information includes a worker identification ID and an entrance / exit identification ID. The entrance / exit identification ID is displayed at the line entrance / exit through which the worker passes, so that the entrance / exit identification ID is accepted as input by the worker. The entrance / exit identification ID can be captured into the dedicated app by, for example, reading a QR code displayed at the line entrance / exit. In that case, a QR code reading app can be used that photographs the QR code with an imaging device provided in the smart device 1 and determines the entrance / exit identification ID from the photographed image. Furthermore, in the case where the worker location identification information includes the mobile unit identification ID of the mobile unit M that the worker stops by to perform an inspection or the like, input from the worker is accepted from the input screen of the dedicated app. The mobile unit identification ID may be input by a selection button that selects the target mobile unit M from a list of mobile units M in the controlled area.

[0061] When the worker position identification information is specified in the dedicated app as described above, application information (lock operation application information or unlock operation application information) is sent to the entry management server 2 by a sending operation. Then, when the smart device 1 receives a determination result from the entry management server 2, the determination result is displayed on the screen of the dedicated app. In this case, if the application information generated by the smart device 1 is lock operation application information, the dedicated app may wait until the next unlock operation application information is generated.

[0062] [QR Code] FIG. 8 shows an example in which a QR code is displayed as the entrance / exit identification ID displayed at the line entrance / exit. The example shown in FIG. 8 is a view of the manual opening / closing door 8 provided at the line entrance / exit, viewed from the safety area side. That is, the entrance / exit identification ID is displayed at the line entrance / exit, and the entrance / exit identification ID is displayed facing the safety area of ​​the line entrance / exit. This allows a worker who is going to enter the controlled area through the line entrance / exit to stand on the side of the safety area of ​​the line entrance / exit and generate application information using the smart device 1, so that it is possible to prevent the worker from entering the controlled area before transmitting the application information to the entry management server 2. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the entrance / exit identification ID displayed at the line entrance / exit is a QR code, and the entrance / exit identification ID is identified from the image information of the QR code using the imaging device provided in the smart device 1, so that it is possible to prevent the worker from entering the controlled area before transmitting the application information to the entry management server 2. In this embodiment, the entrance / exit identification ID is specified by reading information displayed at the line entrance / exit with the smart device 1. This is different from a method of transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals using a transmitter and receiver of identification information. That is, unlike the system described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, which receives information contained in a tag using an ID tag reader or an RFID reader, a highly reliable safety management system can be constructed even in a case where the surrounding environment is not necessarily good, such as a factory work site. In addition, in a factory work site where the surrounding environment is not good, if a manually openable cover 9 is used for the display device 3 of the entrance / exit identification ID, as in the example shown in FIG. 8, the display of the entrance / exit identification ID will not deteriorate.

[0063] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited by the descriptions and drawings that form part of the disclosure of the present invention according to the present embodiments. In other words, other embodiments, examples, and operation techniques, etc., made by those skilled in the art based on the present embodiments are all included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1. Smart Devices 2. Access Control Server 3,3a,3b,7 Display device 4 LTE Router 5. VPN Routers 6. Security Switch 8 Opening and closing doors 9 Cover 10a~10c coal loading car 11a~11c Extruder 12a~12c Guide car 13a,13b Fire truck 14 Wet fire extinguishing equipment 21 Communications Department 22 Reception 23 Memory section 24 Judgment section 25 Control signal output section 26 Judgment result output section 100 Mobile device control device 101a,101b Machine side operation panel 102 Central control panel G1, G2 Line Entrance / Exit M mobile device

Claims

1. A safety management system for workers in a factory workplace including a controlled area that defines an area in which a mobile device can travel, a safety area that is provided outside the controlled area, and a line entrance / exit that is provided at a boundary between the controlled area and the safety area, comprising: a smart device carried by a worker passing through the line entrance / exit and capable of generating application information for locking and unlocking operations of the mobile device; an access control server including a determination unit that determines whether or not the mobile device can be locked or unlocked based on application information received from the smart device; Equipped with The application information includes, as worker position identification information, an entrance / exit identification ID displayed at a line entrance / exit through which the worker passes and a worker identification ID that identifies the worker, the access control server transmits a control signal to the control device of the mobile device instructing the control device to execute an operation corresponding to the application information in response to a judgment result of the judgment unit, and transmits the judgment result to the smart device that transmitted the application information; When the application information is an application for locking the mobile device, the determination unit outputs a determination result that permits the locking operation of the mobile device on condition that the worker location identification information matches identification information registered in advance, When the application information is an application for unlocking the mobile device, the determination unit outputs a determination result that permits the unlocking operation of the mobile device under the conditions that the worker location identification information matches pre-registered identification information and that application information for requesting the locking operation of the mobile device has not been received from another smart device at the present time. A safety management system for workers in factory workplaces.

2. When the application information is an application for locking the mobile device, the worker location identification information includes a mobile device identification ID of the mobile device within the controlled area. The safety management system for workers in a factory workplace according to claim 1.

3. A display device is installed in the factory work area, The access control server identifies a worker identification ID of a worker currently entering the controlled area, The display device displays a worker name corresponding to the worker identification ID specified by the access management server. The safety management system for workers in a factory workplace according to claim 1.

4. A display device is installed in the factory work area, The access control server identifies a worker identification ID of a worker currently entering the controlled area, The display device displays a worker name corresponding to the worker identification ID specified by the access management server. The safety management system for workers in a factory workplace according to claim 2.

5. The entrance / exit identification ID is displayed facing the safety area of ​​the line entrance / exit. The safety management system for workers in a factory workplace according to claim 1.

6. The entrance / exit identification ID is displayed facing the safety area of ​​the line entrance / exit. The safety management system for workers in a factory workplace according to claim 4.

7. The entrance / exit identification ID displayed at the line entrance / exit is a QR code, The smart device generates the application information by reading the QR code with an imaging device provided in the smart device. The safety management system for workers in a factory workplace according to claim 5.

8. The entrance / exit identification ID displayed at the line entrance / exit is a QR code, The smart device generates the application information by reading the QR code with an imaging device provided in the smart device. The safety management system for workers in a factory workplace according to claim 6.

9. A method for managing safety of workers in a factory workplace including a controlled area that defines an area in which a mobile device can travel, a safety area that is provided outside the controlled area, and a line entrance / exit that is provided at a boundary between the controlled area and the safety area, comprising: A step in which a smart device carried by a worker passing through the line entrance / exit generates application information regarding a locking operation and an unlocking operation of the mobile device; an access control server determining whether or not to allow a locking or unlocking operation of the mobile device based on application information received from the smart device; Including, The application information includes, as worker position identification information, an entrance / exit identification ID displayed at a line entrance / exit through which the worker passes and a worker identification ID that identifies the worker, The access control server transmits a control signal to the control device of the mobile device instructing the control device to execute an operation corresponding to the application information according to the judgment result, and transmits the judgment result to the smart device that transmitted the application information; When the application information is an application for locking the mobile device, the access control server outputs a determination result that permits the locking operation of the mobile device on the condition that the worker location identification information matches pre-registered identification information; If the application information is an application for unlocking the mobile device, the entry management server outputs a determination result to permit the unlocking operation of the mobile device under the conditions that the worker location identification information matches pre-registered identification information and that no application information for locking the mobile device has been received from another smart device at the present time. Methods for managing worker safety in factory workplaces.

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