In today’s fast-evolving industrial landscape, ensuring strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) has become paramount for operational excellence and safety. Whether it’s enforcing safety protocols in hazardous environments or ensuring precision in operating processes, SOP compliance monitoring is a critical component of a company’s success.
In the day and age of advanced technological solutions, many industries still rely on manual checks, paper logs, and periodic audits for SOP compliance monitoring —methods that are inherently prone to human error, inefficiency, and delay. These outdated practices expose companies to operational risks, from costly downtime and legal liabilities to safety incidents that could have been prevented.
What if there was a more advanced, intelligent way to ensure SOP compliance monitoring for safety with near-zero error rates, real-time monitoring, and instant reporting?
Introducing an AI-driven technology - Computer Vision!
Based on machine learning algorithms, cameras, and sensors, Computer Vision enables a level of precision, speed, and scalability that manual processes simply can’t match. This transitions into an accurate and hassle-free SOP compliance monitoring process.
Let’s discuss an illustration to display the difference that AI-driven SOP compliance monitoring system can be brought into construction safety, factory floors or even drilling rigs.
Aspect | Manual SOP Compliance Monitoring (Site Supervisor) | AI-enabled SOP Compliance Monitoring (AI Vision) |
Monitoring Accuracy | - Relies on visual checks. | - Automatically detects violations via real-time video analytics. |
- Prone to human error and fatigue. | - Ensures zero missed violations, even for repetitive tasks. | |
Monitoring Frequency | - Periodic checks, often at scheduled times or randomly. | - Continuous 24/7 monitoring of all areas and workflows. |
- Gaps in monitoring, especially in high-risk areas. | - Covers high-risk zones in real-time, and has zero blind spots. | |
Response Time | - Violations may take hours or days to notice. | - Instant alerts for immediate corrective actions while detecting the root cause. |
| -Time taken to analyze the entire situation - Around 3 hours | -Time taken to analyze the entire situation - Around 3 minutes |
Reporting and Documentation | - Manual documentation is time-consuming and prone to errors. | - Automatic, real-time reports with video evidence. |
- Records may be incomplete or inaccurate. | - Accurate, comprehensive records for audits and reviews through a centralized management platform. | |
Compliance Across Multiple Sites | - Supervisors can only monitor one location at a time. | - Monitors multiple sites simultaneously and can be monitored by supervisors while being in or out of the site. |
Here’s an Industrial Example: AI-driven SOP Compliance Monitoring in Chemical Manufacturing
Consider a chemical manufacturing plant—an industry where strict adherence to SOPs is critical for safety and regulatory compliance. In such high-risk environments, even minor deviations from standard procedures can lead to catastrophic accidents, financial losses, or environmental damage.
Traditionally, compliance in chemical plants has relied on manual oversight, where supervisors check that workers are following safety protocols, wearing PPE, and handling hazardous materials or conducting lockouts/tagouts according to guidelines.
While effective, manual checks are often inconsistent and subject to human fatigue. Workers may forget to wear essential gear, miss critical steps, or make errors while handling volatile substances.
Furthermore, supervisors can only be in one place at a time, leading to blind spots in coverage.
Using Computer Vision, the SOP compliance monitoring in manufacturing can include AI-powered cameras positioned throughout the facility to continuously monitor key operational areas. These cameras are trained to detect whether workers are following safety protocols—such as wearing PPE like gloves and goggles—and whether machinery is being operated within the correct parameters.
For example, if an operator skips a critical step in the chemical mixing process or enters a restricted area without proper gear, the system immediately flags the violation and sends real-time alerts to supervisors.
What’s more?
Well! Computer Vision doesn't just react to errors; it helps prevent them. By identifying patterns in human behavior and machinery operation, the AI for workplace safety can predict potential risks before they materialize, allowing the company to adjust workflows and retrain workers proactively.
viAct’s Computer Vision powered SOP Compliance Monitoring
viAct’s implementation of AI for workplace safety proceeds with the primary vision of automating monitoring at worksites for better functionality. Real-time SOP compliance monitoring has been integrated into the modules with precision using computer vision technology and LLM-powered Generative AI solutions making it highly accurate.
From factory floors to drilling rigs, viAct’s SOP Compliance Monitoring solution caters to industry-standard SOPs without any additional configuration or customization.
The game-changing benefits of deploying an automated SOP compliance monitoring system powered by computer vision technology are undeniable.
Here’s how it’s making a real difference across industries:
90% Reduction in Accidents: With real-time, 24/7 monitoring, the system immediately detects any SOP violations. Workers are now safer, as risks are detected, recorded, and fixed by EHS teams with AI before they escalate into serious incidents.
70% Cost Savings: Automated SOP compliance monitoring replaces manual inspections, leading to significant cost reductions. The ability to continuously monitor without the need for human intervention saves operational costs and allows supervisors to focus on more strategic tasks.
10x Faster Detection of Workplace Safety Breaches: Time is critical when it comes to safety. The use of AI for safer workplaces identifies and alerts safety teams instantly—far faster than manual checks. The conversion of hours to minutes to detect and recognize the cause and solution makes the process faster.
60% Improvement in Waste Management Monitoring: Beyond workplace safety, AI’s continuous monitoring ensures that job sites also follow proper waste management protocols. This regulatory compliance leads to more efficient resource use and improved sustainability on-site.
95% Increase in Workflow Transparency: With automated reporting and real-time insights, workflow visibility is elevated to unprecedented levels. Supervisors, site managers and even HSE teams can easily monitor compliance, safety practices, and overall operational efficiency even without their physical presence on the premises.
viAct utilizes modern technologies to make the SOP compliance monitoring for safety and efficiency accurate. Some of the innovative integrations with computer vision that have made the above compliance levels achievable include –
1. LLM-Powered Generative AI Solution
Large Language Models (LLMs) like viAct's Generative AI Solution are used to interpret and generate human-like text based on input data. This AI-driven approach can streamline SOP compliance monitoring by analyzing and creating precise documentation and recommendations.
Automated SOP Updates: The LLM can review and update SOPs based on real-time data and evolving regulations across different industries. For example, if a new safety protocol is introduced in the manufacturing safety regulation, the AI can automatically adjust existing SOPs to reflect the latest standards, ensuring compliance without manual intervention.
Real-Time Monitoring: When workers encounter compliance-related queries, the LLM can provide instant, accurate answers. For instance, if an employee is unsure about specific safety steps in an SOP when working at height, they can query the AI with questions like –
“What are my PPE requirements to work in the tower crane?”
The Generative AI solution would analyze the updated SOP guidelines and provide step-by-step instructions to meet the required guidelines.
Incident Analysis: In the event of a safety incident, the LLM can analyze the incident report on the details of the prevailing scenario around the incident. It can record information like the PPE compliance during the accident, the temperature at that moment, distractions in the surroundings, the behavior of the worker just before the accident, the number of workers around the site, etc.
These details can be used later on to improve the regulations around the worksites.
2. Digital Permit-to-Work (ePTW/PTW)
Digital Permit-to-Work systems streamline the process of obtaining and managing work permits, ensuring that all safety and regulatory requirements are met before work begins.
Automated Permit Issuance: The ePTW system automates the creation and issuance of work permits based on predefined criteria. For example, if a worker needs to perform a high-risk task such as working in the red zone, the system will automatically generate a permit that includes all necessary safety checks and approvals, reducing the risk of human error.
Integrated Compliance Checks: The ePTW system can integrate with other safety systems to perform real-time compliance checks. For instance, it can verify that all required safety equipment is in place and that the task meets environmental and safety regulations before issuing a permit.
Digital Records and Audits: All permits and compliance data are stored digitally, making it easier to track and audit historical records. For example, in the event of an inspection, the system can quickly provide the supervisor with all relevant permit records, demonstrating compliance and facilitating smoother audits.
3. Digitalized Tracking System
viAct’s Digitalized Tracking System utilizes real-time data and computer vision for SOP compliance monitoring across various operational areas. This system provides a detailed, continuous view of activities, enabling timely detection of deviations and ensuring adherence to safety protocols.
In a construction site, the Digitalized Tracking System can use computer vision cameras to monitor worker adherence to safety gear protocols such as using a helmet recognition system. If a worker is observed without the required safety equipment, the system can automatically trigger an alert to the site supervisor and provide a timestamped video clip of the incident.
Additionally, the system can track equipment usage and maintenance schedules, ensuring that all machinery is used according to SOPs and is regularly serviced to prevent malfunctions.
The ESG scores can be amplified through digitalized SOP compliance monitoring for environmental regulations. The detection of water pollution, dump truck management, and illegal dumping can help the HSE leaders to have an accurate idea about their environmental compliance levels.
viMAC is an AI-powered SOP compliance monitoring device that can be attached to a mobile plant in a complex worksite to prevent collisions. In 2022, there were 891 fatalities and 37,701 non-fatal accidents in work zones due to traffic movements.
This digitalized GPS-based monitoring device can prevent collisions and help in continuous SOP compliance tracking in such critical workplaces.
By integrating modern technologies, viAct enhances SOP compliance monitoring to the next level of precision, making safety and efficiency in operations more reliable and easier to manage.
With major industry-specific SOPs seamlessly integrated into our existing module, viAct offers a ready-to-use solution that requires no additional customization – simply plug in and get started!
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