Development of an Ultrasound Technology-Based Indoor-Location Monitoring Service System for Worker Safety in Shipbuilding and Offshore Industry

Jonghee Park,Hyoungmin Kim,Jaejun Yoon,Chulgyun Park,Daegeun Hong,Hanjune Kim

doi:10.3390/pr9020304

Abstract

We have built a worker-safety monitoring system (WSMS) for use in the shipbuilding and offshore industry (S&OI). The WSMS combines metal-conductor communication wireless networks with location-estimation technology that uses ultrasound signals in the frequency band 18 to 22 kHz, which is above the normal range of hearing (<15 kHz) in human adults. This system can be used in environments that include many metal barriers. The developmental process included deriving stakeholder requirements, transforming system requirements, designing system architecture, and developing a prototype. The prototype WSMS was tested by applying it to H Company, a Korean S&OI. Use of the WSMS increased the productivity of workers and managers by reducing the cost of on-site patrols and handwritten input. As a result, the number of worker location information updates increased from 2/day to 20/min, and productivity increased by 30 min/day compared to the previous method. Therefore, shipyards that introduce worker-safety management systems may consider applying this method.

Highlights

The shipbuilding-and-offshore industry (S&OI) builds large ships and offshore plants; it involves a large number of personnel in yards and docks
We identify the problem and develop an operating scenario with a focus on the status of data acquisition and flow, and utilization of the process of identifying problems occurring during S&OI construction
We developed an operational scenario (Figure 3) in which the metal-conductor communication wireless network and worker-safety monitoring system (WSMS) operate in the shipyard of company H

Summary

Introduction

The shipbuilding-and-offshore industry (S&OI) builds large ships and offshore plants; it involves a large number of personnel in yards and docks. Shipyards are high-risk work environments that include large steel structures, narrow or enclosed working spaces, cranes, and forklifts [1], so they are sites of frequent accidents, including collisions, falls, fires, and explosions; the accident rate is the highest among all industries [2]. Since safety accidents accompany a decrease in productivity due to a loss of work and a loss of life, major shipyards are increasing their measures to ensure worker safety [4]. Safety at industrial sites is managed by the health, safety, and environment (HSE) field. It provides prevention and follow-up management for accidents by using relevant laws and regulations and documents in international standards (ISO14001, OHSAS18001, ISM Code). The use of information and communications technology (ICT) in the management of shipyards enables input and analysis of data, monitoring without time or space constraints, and reduced costs to increase profit [5]

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion