Although this implies a positive impact on the sector, the scarcity of these natural resources has led to the need for extractions in increasingly remote and dangerous locations, making it even more challenging to keep the operation’s personnel safe. This highlights the need for technological solutions that, in addition to facilitating the productivity and efficiency of the operation, can contribute to the safety of employees who are exposed to extreme temperatures with adverse conditions and to the safety of the operation itself.
Then, What are these technologies that the sector needs to face the challenge of offering a safer environment for its workers? In short, for one of the most arduous and difficult jobs in the world to be able to overcome security problems, it is necessary to rethink communication systems and conceive them as an integrated solution, to improve collaboration between work areas regardless of the segment in which they work. the one found: upstream (exploration, discovery and production), midstream (transportation) or downstream (distribution)
By having a digital oil platform that allows clear and far-reaching communication, accidents can be reduced and response times to potential problems can be reduced. Video security solutions with advanced self-learning analytics and access control alerts allow risks to be detected, so workers can feel more secure in their area.
For example, in the control center, which uses video management software, it is possible to monitor multiple remote sites with low bandwidth consumption and without sacrificing the level of detail of the scene thanks to the resolution of the cameras. to explosion proof (Explosion Proof) that operate safely in areas of high explosive risk.
Thus, once the risk has been detected, in order to better analyze the situation, installations with Bluetooth and GPS allow not only to send alarms to the right people during emergencies, but also to create alerts when a worker stops having activity for a certain time. Geofencing can even be set up in high-risk areas to send notifications to the plant when workers are in the area to keep an eye on them and recognize persons of interest.
Also through the use of specialized two-way radios for hazardous environments, communication is an essential link. Employees can share voice and data with each other for real-time collaboration and assistance in the event of a mishap or incident. These radios must have the property of further reducing background noise, ensuring that the message reaches the recipient clearly and quickly. In addition to noise suppression, radios and accessories need to be specially designed to withstand fire, water, and hard drops or shocks, for example.
As the entire platform is connected, it is possible to record events in voice and audio to have evidence of what happened in all work areas during business hours and thus be able to respond immediately. Being able to record and manage incidents implies greater safety for workers thanks to an intelligent environment. This also implies that the work is carried out efficiently thanks to an improvement in work performance.
Undoubtedly, security, efficiency and productivity are deeply interconnected, so in conclusion, companies in the sector that develop and take advantage of unified and connected communication systems with advanced security, voice, video and data functions will be able to minimize the time of inactivity, improve efficiency and productivity and thus generate better results in all segments of the industry (Upstream, Midstream and Downstream) thus being more competitive in such a demanding market.
Motorola Solutions Business Communications Specialist.
Source: Ambito
