Developing Computer-Assisted Safety Systems: A Mobile Safety Support System for Confined Spaces

• Main Author: Osman, Firdaus Hani
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Teknologi Petronas 2011
• Subjects: T Technology (General)
• Online Access: http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/7299/1/2011%20-%20Devoloping%20computer%20assisted%20safety%20system%20-%20A%20mobile%20safety%20support%20system%20for%20confined%20s.pdf; http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/7299/

Some working environments are defined ooder the Occupational Scifety & Health Act (1994; OSHA) as confmed spaces. ( e,g: storage tank interiors, drainage systems, manholes etc). Many workers lack awareness of safe working procedures in confined spaces. Further hazards, associated with this work environment can be complex and require information, knowledge and skill to prevent accidents. Thus, there is a need for a system tbat provides workers with information, communication and collaborative systems they need to work safely ooder the hazardous conditions found in confmed spaces. The objective of this project is to create a mobile safety support system, specifically for use by persons supervising workers who are carrying out tasks in confmed spaces. Besides that, this system is designed to improve worker safety behavior by making information, crisis alarms and collaborative problem solving networks available in a mobile format and last objectives is to reduce the frequency of accidents, lost-time injuries and fatalities. Basically, there are four main functionalities of this system which are background information, checklist and guidelines of work procedures before, during and after entering the confined spaces, quizzes and also buttons for communication if an emergency happens. This system is specifically for use by persons supervising workers who are carrying out tasks in confmed spaces. The aim of this project is to save lives because the statistics of incidents in confined spaces is increasing day by day and hopefully, by having this system, more lives will be saved. Safety incident risk can be reduced by putting a suite of information and communication tools in the hands of persons supervising work operations in these environments. Besides that, it covers three main areas which are Heahh, Safety and Environment, Information Technology as well as Information Systems. Methodology that is used for the development of this project is prototyping. This methodology was chosen because it quickly provides users with a system to interact with. Preliminary research fmdings indicated that this system offers considerable potential for increasing safety in confined spaces.