The National Safety Council Work to Zero initiative released a new white paper, “Advancing Workplace Safety with Location Geofencing,” to shed light on the transformative potential of this technology and how it can significantly reduce the risk of serious incidents and fatalities in various industries.
Often integrated into existing safety technologies like proximity sensors, wearables, and vehicle monitoring systems — location geofencing allows users to create virtual barriers around defined areas, such as construction sites or machine operating zones. This enables real-time monitoring and alerts when workers enter or leave designated zones, enhancing their safety.
For example, when a worker or equipment enters or exits the area, predetermined actions are triggered such as logging the event, alerting workers of potential hazards, or disabling machinery.
Developed through a comprehensive literature review and collaboration with industry professionals, the white paper presents an in-depth exploration of location geofencing and its use in safety-sensitive industries such as construction, logging and forestry, manufacturing, and utilities. Some key benefits identified were:
- Risk mitigation: The technology serves as an effective tool by alerting workers and supervisors of potential hazards, improving situational awareness, and enabling two-way communication for workers.
- Enhanced worksite visibility: Geofencing increases worksite visibility, enabling data-informed decisions for site planning and safety measures.
- Improved efficiency: Automation of safety processes reduces the need for continuous human supervision, optimizing resource allocation and safety management.
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