May 2022 Volume 4

EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY

Shifting Our Focus to Leading Indicators While lagging indicators can identify a safety program failure or the existence of a hazard; leading indicators allow a team to take preventative action to address that failure or hazard before it results in an incident. But formany safety programs, the problemwith using leading indicators to drive change comes from the lack of necessary data. Along with historical safety data, leading indicators require relevant and actionable data to be effective. Fortunately, we now can have a wealth of data at our fingertips to feed the development and monitoring of leading indicators thanks to advanced technology. More Data, More Prevention This new technology uses cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) like computer vision (CV) and edge computing in combination with real-time location services (RTLS) and other novel sensors. As the systems powered by this new technology continuously observe, the edge server captures input in real-time from the connected devices and analyzes each input. The system is then able to use the analyzed input to make an intelligent decision – is there potential for a hazard to occur or not? If a possible hazard is detected, a worker is alerted to modify their behavior to prevent the accident before it happens, and the data is stored within the portal for future use. If no hazard is detected, the systemwill not store the data collected. One example of this intelligent system is Everguard.ai’s Worker Centric AI™, an artificial intelligence platform powered by sensor fusion. The platform connects technologies in computer vision, wearables, and sensor fusion to improve worker health and safety. The synced technologies create a Sentri Zone™ with workers at the center, protecting them 24/7/365, even in the most complex industrial environments. The true value of these advanced systems lives within the user portals. Captured data is housed in the portal for use by managers to recognize infraction trends, find solutions to recurring infractions and use for training purposes. This type of data feeds leading indicators and provides safety programs with the true predictive and preventative power they need to keep team members protected and empowered.

Forging a Safer Future with Technology As a veteran safety professional, I believe using technology to identify leading indicators and protect what matters most – our people – is long overdue. The advancements we’re making in technology allow us to bridge that gap in safety. It’s exciting to think of the possibilities in forging that advanced technology will provide us – true preventative power. By embracing this new technology and improving our use of leading indicators, a zero-accident forging industry may be closer than we think. Paul Thurber VP/GM of Manufacturing & Safety Everguard.ai Phone: 334-247-5170 Email: paul@everguard.ai

Modern Foundations for Forging Hammers and Presses

gerbusa@gerb.com www.gerb.com/forging Call: 630-724-1660

FIA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022 15