Safety Management System

Abstract

To provide a safety management system capable of further ensuring safety of an operator being currently engaged in work at a construction site.SOLUTION: A safety management system 10 comprises: a belt-like sensor 11 having a flexible belt body 11a and a pressure-sensitive part 11b which is a pressure-sensitive region from one end to the other end of the belt body 11a in a longitudinal direction; a detection unit 12 that is connected to the pressure-sensitive part 11b and that outputs a detection signal when the size of a pressure-sensitive signal of the pressure-sensitive part 11b is larger than a threshold value; and an alarm 13 that is connected to the detection unit 12 and issues an alarm upon entry of the detection signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a safety management system for ensuring the safety of workers during work at a construction site.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, at a construction site, in order to ensure the safety of workers, handrails that can be hooked with safety belts are provided on temporary scaffolds for high-altitude work, etc., and danger areas such as openings and the surroundings of the working areas of construction machinery are provided with signs indicating restricted access areas. In addition, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that warns workers who may come into contact with construction machinery through worker terminals based on the position information of workers and the position information of construction machinery.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the system of Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that a worker may forget to carry a worker terminal. When such a worker becomes concentrated on work, the awareness of the position of their foothold on the temporary scaffold and their own position relative to the restricted access area may fade, and there is a risk of inadvertently performing unsafe actions.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A safety management system for construction sites that solves the above problems comprises a strip-shaped sensor having a flexible strip and a pressure-sensitive section having a pressure-sensitive area from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction of the strip; a detection unit connected to the pressure-sensitive section that outputs a detection signal when the magnitude of the pressure-sensitive signal from the pressure-sensitive section exceeds a threshold; and a warning device connected to the detection unit that issues a warning upon input of the detection signal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, the safety of workers at construction sites can be more reliably ensured. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram illustrating the general configuration of one embodiment of a safety management system. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram showing how a strip-shaped sensor is installed on a scaffolding plank. [Figure 3] A schematic diagram showing how a strip-shaped sensor is installed on a single pipe that makes up a handrail. [Figure 4] A schematic diagram illustrating another example of the wiring configuration for a pressure-sensitive section. [Figure 5] A block diagram showing the safety management device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Referring to Figures 1 to 5, one embodiment of the safety management system will be described. The safety management system is a system that warns workers who engage in unsafe behavior near a safety management area at a construction site where there is a possibility of falls, slips, or contact with construction machinery.

[0009] As shown in Figure 1, the safety management system 10 of this embodiment includes a strip-shaped sensor 11, a detection unit 12, a warning device 13, a communication device 14, a surveillance camera 15, and a safety management device 20. The strip-shaped sensor 11 is installed in the safety management area controlled by the safety management system 10. The detection unit 12, communication device 14, and surveillance camera 15 are installed near the safety management area.

[0010] The strip-shaped sensor 11 has a strip body 11a and a pressure-sensitive part 11b. The strip body 11a is flexible. The strip body 11a is made of, for example, rubber. Preferably, the strip body 11a has a length of, for example, 1.5m to 2.0m.

[0011] As shown in Figure 2, when the strip-shaped sensor 11 is installed on the end of a scaffolding board 18 that constitutes a temporary scaffold, it is preferable that the strip 11a has a width of about 10 cm to 15 cm. As shown in Figure 3, when the strip-shaped sensor 11 is wrapped around a single pipe 19 that constitutes the end side of the scaffolding, such as a single pipe that supports a handrail or scaffolding board 18, it is preferable that the strip 11a has a width of about 35 cm to 40 cm.

[0012] The pressure-sensitive unit 11b uses the length of the strip 11a from one end to the other as a pressure-sensitive region to detect the pressure on the strip 11a, i.e., the load on the strip 11a or the magnitude of vibration of the strip 11a. The pressure-sensitive unit 11b outputs a pressure-sensitive signal indicating the detected load or vibration magnitude.

[0013] Connection connectors 11c are provided at one end and the other end of the strip-shaped sensor 11. The connection connectors 11c are used to connect to the pressure-sensitive part 11b of another strip-shaped sensor 11, and to connect the strip-shaped sensor 11 to the detection part 12.

[0014] An example of a pressure-sensitive section 11b is a configuration in which pressure-sensitive lines extending linearly in the longitudinal direction of the strip 11a are arranged in parallel in the width direction of the strip 11a. This configuration is suitable when the strip-shaped sensor 11 is installed at the end of the scaffolding board 18, as shown in Figure 2.

[0015] Further, as shown in FIG. 4, another example of the pressure-sensitive part 11b is such that pressure-sensitive lines extending in the width direction of the belt 11a are arranged side by side in the length direction of the belt 11a, and these pressure-sensitive lines are connected in parallel to a connection connector 11c (not shown in FIG. 4). Such a configuration is suitable when the belt-shaped sensor 11 is wound around the single pipe 19 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0016] Since the belt 11a of the belt-shaped sensor 11 having such a configuration has flexibility, it can be laid on an uneven ground or wound around a handrail or the like for installation. Further, for example, it can be easily carried by being rolled up in the short side direction.

[0017] The detection unit 12 is connected to the connection connector 11c of the belt-shaped sensor 11. The detection unit 12 amplifies the pressure-sensitive signal from the pressure-sensitive part 11b, and outputs a detection signal to the warning device 13 and the communication device 14 when the magnitude of the amplified pressure-sensitive signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The detection signal is a signal indicating that the magnitude of the pressure-sensitive signal has exceeded the threshold value and including the magnitude of the pressure-sensitive signal.

[0018] The magnitude of the threshold value varies depending on the installation location of the belt-shaped sensor 11. For example, when the belt-shaped sensor 11 is installed on a staging board 18 or the like, the threshold value is a value that can detect that an operator has stepped on the belt-shaped sensor 11. Also, for example, when the belt-shaped sensor 11 is installed around an opening where a major disaster may occur due to a fall, the threshold value is a value that can detect vibrations that occur when an operator approaches near the belt-shaped sensor 11.

[0019] The warning device 13 is connected to the detection unit 12. When a detection signal is input from the detection unit 12, the warning device 13 issues an alarm toward the safety management area or lights a warning lamp. The communication device 14 is configured to be communicable with the safety management device 20 by wireless connection. The communication device 14 transmits information associated with its own identification information to the safety management device 20. When a detection signal is input from the detection unit 12, the communication device 14 transmits the detection information indicating the input of the detection signal and the magnitude of the detection signal, etc., associated with its own identification information to the safety management device 20.

[0020] The set of the above-described strip-shaped sensor 11, detection unit 12, warning device 13, and communication device 14 is preferably installed for each divided area obtained by dividing the safety management area when a large number of strip-shaped sensors 11 are required, such as when the safety management area is surrounded by the strip-shaped sensor 11. According to such a configuration, a warning can be given by the warning device 13 for each divided area.

[0021] The surveillance camera 15 inputs surveillance image information obtained by imaging the vicinity of the safety management area to the communication device 14. The communication device 14 transmits the surveillance image information to the safety management device 20 while associating the identification information of its own device with the surveillance image information.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 5, the safety management device 20 includes a communication unit 21, an input unit 22, a display unit 23, and an information processing unit 24. The communication unit 21 is configured to be able to communicate with the communication device 14. The communication unit 21 inputs various types of information from the communication device 14 to the information processing unit 24.

[0023] The input unit 22 includes an interface to which a keyboard, a mouse, or the like that can be operated by a monitor can be connected. The input unit 22 inputs operation information of a keyboard, a mouse, or the like by an operation operator to the information processing unit 24.

[0024] The display unit 23 is a display capable of displaying various types of information. The display unit 23 displays, for example, a management screen provided by the information processing unit 24 and a surveillance image by the surveillance camera 15. The information processing unit 24 can be realized, for example, by circuitry, that is, one or more dedicated hardware circuits such as an ASIC, one or more processing circuits operating according to a computer program (software), or a combination of both. The processing circuit has a CPU and a memory (such as ROM and RAM) that stores a program executed by the CPU. The memory, that is, the computer-readable medium, includes any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0025] The information processing unit 24 includes a processing unit 25 that performs various processes and a warning information storage unit 26 that stores warning information, which will be described later. For example, the processing unit 25 executes a process to switch the display content on the display unit 23 based on the operation of the input unit 22. Also, when detection information is input from the communication device 14 via the communication unit 21, the processing unit 25 executes a process to switch the display on the display unit 23 to the image from the surveillance camera 15 corresponding to that detection information.

[0026] For example, the processing unit 25 executes a process to store information related to the occurrence of a warning as warning information in the warning information storage unit 26. The warning information is, for example, information indicating the date and time of the warning occurrence for each safety management area.

[0027] Warning information may also be configured to be manually stored in the warning information storage unit 26 by the monitor. In this case, the processing unit 25 displays a warning information input screen on the display unit 23, where the identification information of the communication device 14 can be entered, and stores the information based on the monitor's input to the warning information input screen as warning information in the warning information storage unit 26.

[0028] Furthermore, the warning information may be automatically stored in the warning information storage unit 26. In this case, the processing unit 25 stores the information associated with the identification information of the communication device 14 and the date and time of occurrence, as warning information in the warning information storage unit 26 based on the detection information.

[0029] (action) In the safety management system 10 with the configuration described above, when the pressure-sensitive section 11b of the strip-shaped sensor 11 detects load or vibration caused by an unsafe worker's actions, a pressure-sensitive signal indicating the magnitude of the detected load or vibration is input to the detection unit 12. The detection unit 12 outputs a detection signal to the warning device 13 when the magnitude of the amplified pressure-sensitive signal exceeds a threshold. Upon receiving the detection signal, the warning device 13 issues an alarm or illuminates a warning light in the safety management area.

[0030] The effects of this embodiment will now be explained. (1) The safety management system 10 comprises a strip-shaped sensor 11 having a flexible strip 11a and a pressure-sensitive section 11b whose pressure-sensitive area extends from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction of the strip 11a; a detection unit 12 connected to the pressure-sensitive section 11b which outputs a detection signal when the magnitude of the pressure-sensitive signal from the pressure-sensitive section 11b exceeds a threshold; and a warning device 13 connected to the detection unit 12 which issues a warning upon input of the detection signal.

[0031] As a result, when the pressure-sensitive part 11b of the strip-shaped sensor 11 detects a predetermined load or vibration, the warning device 13 issues a warning to workers near the strip-shaped sensor 11, making it easier for the warned workers to take safety-enhancing actions. Consequently, the safety of workers during work can be more reliably ensured.

[0032] (2) The pressure-sensitive signal is amplified in the detection unit 12. This increases the sensitivity of the strip-shaped sensor 11. (3) The strip-shaped sensor 11 has a connecting connector 11c at its end in the longitudinal direction, which allows the pressure-sensitive parts 11b to be connected to each other. Connecting the pressure-sensitive parts 11b increases the overall length of the strip-shaped sensor 11, which increases the flexibility of the installation location of the strip-shaped sensor 11 and reduces the number of components of the safety management system 10.

[0033] (4) By installing the strip-shaped sensor 11 on the scaffolding board 18, a warning can be issued to workers who are using the edge of the scaffolding board 18 as a stepping stone. This makes it less likely for workers to fall from the scaffolding board 18.

[0034] (5) By wrapping the strip-shaped sensor 11 around the single pipe 19 that constitutes the handrail at the end of the scaffolding, a warning can be issued to workers who are in a position to step over the handrail. This helps to prevent workers in such positions from falling. In addition, by wrapping the strip-shaped sensor 11 around the single pipe 19 that supports the scaffolding board at the end of the scaffolding, a warning can be issued to workers who step on the single pipe 19 at the end of the scaffolding or to workers who approach the end of the scaffolding. This helps to prevent workers from falling.

[0035] (6) The safety management system 10 includes a communication device 14 connected to the detection unit 12 and to which a detection signal is input, and a safety management device 20 that can communicate with the communication device 14. Upon input of the detection signal, the communication device 14 transmits detection information, which is information relating to the detection signal, to the safety management device 20. The safety management device 20 has a warning information storage unit 26 that stores warning information based on the detection information.

[0036] This allows for analysis of the characteristics and time periods of locations where warnings are likely to occur, based on the warning information stored in the warning information storage unit 26. As a result, information about the characteristics and time periods of these locations can be used to raise awareness at other construction sites as well.

[0037] (7) The safety management system 10 has a surveillance camera 15 that takes images of the safety management area where the strip-shaped sensor 11 is installed, and is configured to transmit the surveillance image information captured by the surveillance camera 15 to the safety management device 20. When detection information is input to the safety management device 20, the display unit 23 displays the surveillance image from the surveillance camera 15 that takes images of the safety management area corresponding to the detection information. This makes it easy for the supervisor to check the status of the safety management area where a warning has occurred.

[0038] This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically. The surveillance camera 15 may be connected to the safety management device 20 by a wired or wireless connection.

[0039] In the safety management device 20, it is sufficient that the monitoring image from the monitoring camera 15 corresponding to the detection information is displayed on the display unit 23 upon input of the detection information. Therefore, it is acceptable to display the monitoring image on only a part of the display unit 23 without switching the entire display unit 23 to the monitoring image.

[0040] In the safety management device 20, it is not necessary to store warning information based on detection information in the warning information storage unit 26. The warnings provided by the warning device 13 are not limited to the generation of an alarm or the illumination of a warning light. For example, if the strip-shaped sensor 11 is installed on a scaffolding board 18 or a single pipe 19, the warning device 13 may be configured to provide a warning by vibrating the object on which it is installed. Alternatively, if the strip-shaped sensor 11 is installed around an opening, the warning device 13 may be configured to provide a warning by making a safety bar appear between the opening and the worker. Furthermore, the warning device 13 may be configured to provide a warning by activating a safety block worn by the worker.

[0041] • If the strip-shaped sensor 11 has sufficient length, for example, it does not need to be provided with a connection connector 11c. The strip-shaped sensor 11 may be configured such that a pressure-sensitive section 11b is printed on a film-like strip 11a. Alternatively, the strip-shaped sensor 11 may be attached to the scaffolding board 18 or pipe 19 to be installed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 10...Safety management system, 11...Strip sensor, 11a...Strip body, 11b...Pressure sensing element, 11c...Connection connector, 12...Detection unit, 13...Warning device, 14...Communication device, 15...Surveillance camera, 18...Scaffolding board, 19...Single pipe, 20...Safety management device, 21...Communication unit, 22...Input unit, 23...Display unit, 24...Information processing unit, 25...Processing unit, 26...Warning information storage unit.

Claims

1. A safety management system for construction sites, A strip-shaped sensor having a flexible strip and a pressure-sensitive portion whose pressure-sensitive area extends from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction of the strip, A detection unit connected to the pressure sensing unit outputs a detection signal when the magnitude of the pressure sensing signal from the pressure sensing unit exceeds a threshold, The system includes a warning device connected to the detection unit, which issues a warning upon input of the detection signal, The aforementioned strip-shaped sensor includes a sensor that is wrapped around a single pipe that forms the end of the scaffolding. Safety management system.

2. The strip-shaped sensor has a connecting connector at its end in the longitudinal direction, which allows the pressure-sensitive parts to connect to each other. The safety management system according to claim 1.

3. A safety management system for construction sites, A strip-shaped sensor having a flexible strip and a pressure-sensitive portion whose pressure-sensitive area extends from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction of the strip, A detection unit connected to the pressure sensing unit outputs a detection signal when the magnitude of the pressure sensing signal from the pressure sensing unit exceeds a threshold, The system includes a warning device connected to the detection unit, which issues a warning upon input of the detection signal, The strip-shaped sensor has a connecting connector that allows the pressure-sensitive parts to be connected to each other. The pressure-sensitive section has a plurality of pressure-sensitive wires that extend in the width direction of the strip and are arranged in parallel in the length direction of the strip. The multiple pressure-sensitive wires are connected in parallel to the aforementioned connector. Safety management system.

4. The aforementioned strip-shaped sensor includes a sensor laid on a scaffolding board that constitutes the scaffolding. A safety management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A communication device connected to the detection unit and to which the detection signal is input, The system comprises a communication device and a safety management device capable of communicating with the aforementioned communication device, The communication device, upon receiving the detection signal, transmits detection information, which is information relating to the detection signal, to the safety management device. The safety management device has a warning information storage unit that stores warning information based on the detection information. A safety management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The system includes a surveillance camera that captures images of the safety management area where the aforementioned strip-shaped sensor is installed, The surveillance camera is configured to transmit the surveillance image information it captures to the safety management device. When the safety management device receives the detection information, it displays the monitoring image from a surveillance camera capturing the safety management area corresponding to the detection information on its display unit. The safety management system according to claim 5.

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