Worksite Risk Monitoring With Automatic Incident Intervention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for monitoring and mitigating risks at industrial worksites lack the ability to utilize a network of sensors and communication devices to determine risk factors and automatically intervene to prevent incidents such as accidents or equipment failure, as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0352242.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that receive data from multiple sensors at a worksite to determine risk factors, generate graphical user interfaces for displaying risk information, and allow users to select actions for mitigating risks, with the capability to automatically intervene when risk thresholds are exceeded, using processors and memory to configure the system for data processing, risk assessment, and intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a network of sensors and communication devices is deployed to monitor worksite conditions and automatically intervene to prevent incidents, then safety and incident prevention are improved, but device complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the worksite into multiple monitored zones with sensors distributed throughout each zone. Each sensor independently monitors specific conditions (proximity, environmental factors, machine status) and communicates findings to a central processing system, allowing comprehensive coverage without requiring a single complex monolithic system
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs multi-functional sensors that can detect multiple types of conditions (proximity, temperature, humidity, machine status) and a centralized platform that handles risk assessment, alert generation, and machine control across different worksite scenarios, enabling the same hardware to serve multiple safety functions
2Reliability
If real-time monitoring and automatic intervention systems are implemented, then incident prevention and safety are improved, but loss of time for system setup and configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary risk assessments by continuously analyzing sensor data before incidents occur, identifying potential hazards and preparing intervention protocols in advance. The machine control systems are pre-configured with safety protocols that can be automatically activated when risk thresholds are exceeded, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual response
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where sensor data is constantly monitored, analyzed, and used to adjust risk assessments and trigger automatic interventions. The system learns from historical data and incident patterns to improve its predictive capabilities over time, reducing the need for manual system reconfiguration
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and data processing components are integrated to determine risk factors, then measurement precision and risk assessment accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines data from multiple sensor types (proximity sensors, environmental sensors, machine status sensors) into a unified risk assessment model. The centralized processing platform integrates these diverse data streams and applies analytical algorithms to generate comprehensive risk factors, achieving high measurement precision through data fusion rather than through complex individual sensor systems
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes determining, based at least in part on sensor data about a worksite, first and second conditions associated with a location at the worksite. The method also includes determining, based at least in part on the first condition and the second condition, a first risk factor associated with a first portion of the worksite, the first portion including the location and area proximate the location and determining a second risk factor associated with a second portion of the worksite adjacent the first portion. The method may also include generating a graphical user interface comprising a graphical representation of the first portion of the worksite and the second portion of the worksite and visual indications of the risk factors. Further aspects may include controlling machines and/or electronic devices at the worksite when a value associated with the risk factors is greater than a threshold value.