Hong Kong is a country that holds the light for enforcing laws for ensuring a safer work environment across labour intensive critical worksites. With every incident, the country makes sure to investigate the concerned reasons for it and reinforce the required conditions to convert it into a safer arena. Here are the two incidents that occurred among workers in the confined space in the country in less than a year that have made this area of work a case of concern.
Incident 1– On September 2023, two workers were in their task of unground maintenance work in the West Kowloon Cultural District. They were expected to finish their shift by the afternoon but the alarm about the mishap went out only on the next morning. Both workers lost their lives due to a suspected biogas leak underground from a construction site.
This claimed the MTR Corp with deceased workers' compensation of HK$100,000 (US$13,000) for each of the families along with the contractors jointly paying a remuneration of HK$200,000 to the two families each.
Incident 2– On April 2024, four workers were on the job of cleaning the sewer in a manhole in the Sha Tin district of Hong Kong. But the exposure to leaked hydrogen sulphide gas at the construction site claimed the lives of two young workers aged 26 and 34 years only. Both of them fainted underground in a four meter deep manhole whereas the other two workers managed to crawl out of it.
The Drainage Service Department has instructed the involved contractors and sub-contractors to conduct proper safety inspections before allowing them to resume work.
The above two cases when analyzed indicate the reference towards a poor monitoring system. The inability to send alerts at the right time posed fatal in both situations. The other types of hazards that take place in such spaces that demand effective monitoring are as follows.
Hazards in Confined Spaces
Confined spaces in the workplace present unique challenges and hazards, requiring stringent safety measures to protect workers. They are typically characterized by their limited entry and exit points, poor ventilation, and restricted movement. Common examples include storage tanks, silos, underground vaults, and pipelines. The risks associated with working in these environments include:
Asphyxiation: Due to a lack of oxygen or the presence of toxic gases.
Explosion: From flammable gases or materials.
Entanglement: In moving parts of machinery.
Heat Stress: Due to high temperatures and limited ventilation.
Falls: From slippery surfaces or unstable structures.
Here are the precautionary measures established in Confined Spaces-
Code of Practice on Safety Management
Hong Kong's Labour Department has issued the "Code of Practice on Safety Management," which outlines comprehensive guidelines for managing safety in such spaces. Key aspects of this code include:
Risk Assessment: Employers must conduct thorough risk assessments to identify potential hazards associated with confined space safety.
Training and Certification: Workers must receive proper training and certification to safely perform tasks in such spaces.
Emergency Procedures: Detailed emergency procedures must be in place, including the provision of rescue equipment and the assignment of trained rescue personnel.
Monitoring and Supervision: Continuous monitoring of limited spaces is required, along with regular supervision to ensure compliance with safety protocols.
Workers must wear appropriate PPE, including helmets, gloves, protective clothing, and respiratory protection. The type of PPE required depends on the specific hazards identified during the risk assessment.
Confined Space Permits
Before any work begins, an entry permit must be issued. This permit ensures that all necessary safety measures have been implemented and that the space has been deemed safe for entry. It includes details such as:
Identification of the concerned space
Purpose of entry
Hazards identified
Precautionary measures taken
Names of authorized personnel
Mandatory Video Monitoring
Recently, the Hong Kong government released the revised Code of Practice for Safety & Health at Work in Confined Spaces (CoP) where the use of video monitoring in restricted space work is mandated. The revision of the comprehensive risk assessment, setting up of the air-monitoring alarms, and changes in the Permit-to-Work certificates are also made. This measure enhances safety by providing real-time oversight and enabling immediate intervention in case of emergencies.
The government has allowed a period of six months to prepare for its installation which would be mandatory from November 30, 2024. It requires the companies to maintain the video recordings of the sites during the work tenure and retain them for a period of 1 year compulsorily after completion of the work. Any failure to adhere to these rules would lead to a legal consequence.
Video monitoring ensures:
Continuous Observation: Workers are constantly monitored, reducing the risk of undetected accidents.
Quick Response: Supervisors can respond promptly to any signs of distress or unsafe practices.
Accountability: Recorded footage provides a clear record of activities, promoting adherence to safety protocols.
At this point, operating in the such spaces in Hong Kong requires following a strict code of practice which are accurate, effective, and dynamic. While technology has been quite advanced to track these aspects in a confined space, advanced AI-based interventions can work appropriately in adhering to these guidelines and making the workplace safer.
The AI- Based Solution to Confined Space Safety- viMOV
viMOV is viAct’s flagship solution designed specifically for monitoring these spaces. It integrates advanced AI tools to provide real-time surveillance and enhance worker safety. Ensuring safety in such spaces has always been a significant challenge in the construction and industrial sectors. These environments are inherently hazardous due to their limited entry and exit points, restricted ventilation, and potential presence of dangerous substances.
The relevance of the device, viAct's advanced video monitoring system, in these spaces cannot be overstated. By leveraging cutting-edge AI technology, it offers a robust solution to monitor, detect, and respond to risks in real-time, thereby enhancing worker safety and operational efficiency.
The integration of AI-powered anomaly detection further enhances the relevance of viMOV. Utilizing sophisticated computer vision technology, it analyzes video feeds in real-time to identify potential hazards, such as gas leaks, unauthorized entries, or structural weaknesses. When such anomalies are detected, the system sends instant alerts to supervisors and safety officers, enabling them to intervene immediately. This proactive approach to safety is essential in restricted spaces, where the consequences of delayed response can be severe.
The digital permit-to-work (PTW) system offered by viAct also plays a crucial role in confined space safety. Its surveillance can be integrated with the tracking methods extended to viMOV. This system digitizes the entire process of applying for, issuing, and tracking work permits. Workers can use mobile devices to submit permit applications, which are then reviewed and approved digitally.
This ensures that all safety protocols are followed before any work begins, reducing the risk of accidents due to non-compliance. The digital PTW system streamlines the process and ensures that permits are only granted when conditions are deemed safe, which is particularly important in the high-risk environment of confined spaces.
Key Features of viMOV
1. Mobility Expert
The device is designed to make the supervision of such spaces easier and has a hardware solution that can make the monitoring easier. There are design elements integrated into the device that make it highly mobile and handy.
Plug and Play Option
No electricity or internet is required to operate
Wireless Alert System
50 hours battery
Highly Accurate
2. Real-Time Video Monitoring
viMOV uses high-resolution cameras to provide continuous, real-time video monitoring of these spaces. This ensures that every activity within the space is visible and recorded, allowing for immediate detection of any unsafe practices or potential hazards.
High-Resolution Cameras: Captures clear, detailed footage of the spaces, ensuring comprehensive visibility.
Continuous Monitoring: Provides 24/7 surveillance, ensuring no activity goes unnoticed.
3. AI-Powered Anomaly Detection
The system leverages sophisticated computer vision technology to analyze video feeds in real-time. This AI-powered anomaly detection identifies potential hazards, such as gas leaks, unauthorized entries, or structural weaknesses, and sends instant alerts to supervisors.
Computer Vision Technology: Analyzes video feeds to detect anomalies and potential hazards.
Instant Alerts: Sends notifications to supervisors for immediate intervention, preventing accidents. It sends local light and sound alarms in just one second to the workers on site.
4. Integration with Smart Wearables
viMOV integrates seamlessly with smart wearable devices that monitor workers' vital signs and environmental conditions. These wearables provide real-time data on factors like heart rate, body temperature, and air quality, adding an extra layer of safety for workers in the spaces.
Smart Wearables: Monitor workers' health and environmental conditions in real-time.
Real-Time Data: Provides instant feedback on vital signs and environmental factors, ensuring worker safety. Immediately sends the captured images and videos to the server through its 4G network for storage and management.
5. Predictive Analytics
It incorporates AI-powered predictive analytics to forecast potential hazards based on historical data and current conditions. This proactive approach helps in identifying risks before they become critical, enabling pre-emptive measures to ensure worker safety.
Predictive Analytics: Uses AI to forecast potential hazards.
Proactive Safety: Identifies risks early, allowing for preventive measures.
viMOV is an essential feature of viAct’s Smart Site Safety System (4S). This system is designed in accordance with the newly introduced 4S Labelling Scheme for Hong Kong’s work environment. It strengthens the safety measures and uses AI- based technologies along with viMOV that operates using the centralized management platform viHUB to ensure adherence to compliance.
It covers all aspects of site safety with real-time monitoring, automated alerts, and detailed reporting. Also allows supervisors to monitor multiple sites simultaneously, ensuring adherence to safety protocols. Further, ensures accurate recording and storage of all safety data, aiding in compliance and continuous improvement. It follows the principles of the mandatory video monitoring rule for confined spaces and prepares for a holistic monitoring system according to the 4S Labelling Scheme.
Intrigued by the role of viMOV in the revised regulations
by the Government of Hong Kong on workers’ safety?
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