Today, every manufacturer is looking to extend and enhance their safe workplace initiatives. The goals: Keep all workers safe, no matter what tasks they’re executing or where they are on campus, and ensure workers feel protected, even when they’re working alone.  

The advanced apps that allow manufacturers to achieve these goals are available today. But investing in cutting-edge worker safety solutions is nullified if you can’t reliably deliver the new capabilities to workers. On many manufacturing campuses, workers are often in areas that are not covered by either corporate Wi-Fi or commercial cellular networks, leaving them cut-off from safety-critical technologies.  

Connected workers are always there to help each other 

Consider the safety-critical role of a team communications solution. These solutions use secure and resilient wireless connectivity, ruggedized industrial devices and an intuitive app to keep workers seamlessly and securely connected with push-to-talk voice, video and data communications.  

Now workers can instantly notify others of safety risks and incidents, provide real-time updates on hazards and request assistance. Help is never more than a button push away — a crucial safety enhancement for all manufacturing workers, but especially those who are working on their own, or in remote or hazardous environments.  

Words, images and knowledge combine to increase safety 

Picture a manufacturing worker who discovers a serious safety hazard. They can use their handheld device to immediately initiate a top-priority call that overrides all other ongoing communications to instantly inform others. If the hazard presents imminent danger, they can initiate an SOS call. Both actions can be executed with an easy one-hand, two-finger action that allows them to maintain focus on the hazard while communicating.  

The worker can share real-time video and images of their findings, using pre-defined groups to instantly connect with the right people and teams. These visuals give all recipients a shared understanding of the scope and severity of the hazard so they can more effectively collaborate and determine the next steps required to mitigate risks and prevent accidents. 

As the on-site worker takes these steps, they can have voice, video and data conversations with remote experts who safely guide them through the process to accelerate resolution. They can also access operational data and procedural knowledge from their handheld device with no need to leave the scene. When the fix or mitigation has been applied, the worker can share visual confirmation that all safety concerns have been addressed.   

Smart apps increase visibility and accelerate responses 

The plant-wide wireless connectivity foundation also supports smart, real-time apps that use advanced technologies to improve hazard detection, awareness, response and prevention. With these apps: 

• AI algorithms analyze the locations of people and objects to identify potential collisions so automated alerts can be sent to workers through the team communications solution

• Sensors in the worker’s mobile device and hard hat trigger alerts if the worker falls, becomes immobile or their hard hat comes off  

• Augmented reality technologies safely guide technicians to faulty machines, display interactive repair instructions and show them evacuation routes and safe exits 

Digitalization pathway for worker safety

The Nokia one platform for industrial digitalization provides all of the technologies needed to achieve these worker safety improvements and other digitalization goals, such as implementing connected worker technologies. The platform combines 4.9G, 5G and Wi-Fi connectivity as well as industrial edge processing, cutting-edge applications and ruggedized devices, and it seamlessly integrates with existing industrial automation networks, systems and technologies.  

Key platform components to achieve the worker safety enhancements described above include: 

• Nokia Team Comms, an application that delivers business-critical push-to-voice, video and data communications with no internet connection required. 

• Ruggedized Nokia Industrial and EX-protected devices by i.safe MOBILE  for use in harsh and hazardous atmospheres. 

• Nokia Visual Position and Object Detection, a tag-less tracking and positioning solution that uses existing camera systems to detect anything on site without being intrusive. 

• Portalify SmartView, enables lone workers to check in regularly and push out alerts to request help in an emergency situation. Man-down technology detects worker movement, monitors their locations and smartphone connectivity, and collects other relevant data in the case of emergency. 

• Svarmony Aryve, an indoor navigation solution that uses the power of the smartphone camera or extended reality (XR) to help workers seamlessly navigate through complex spaces.  

• Fogsphere, a state-of-the-art AI platform that transforms traditional CCTV systems into proactive, intelligent solutions.

To simplify your evolution and accelerate your overall transformation to Industry 4.0, all platform components are provided as-a-service. And the platform is inherently safe itself, providing high reliability, security and support for redundant and alternative communications channels.  

Step into the new era of worker safety in manufacturing 

To learn more about taking your worker safety strategy to the next level, visit dac.nokia.com/industry/worker-safety or contact us today. Note limited-time device and application bundling special offer. Learn more