PPE Detection – Safety use case

PPE Detection – Safety use case

PPE detection over 5G-emabled CCTV using thermal imaging sensors to identify where PPE is correctly being used in high-risk areas of the port to reduce the number of worker injuries. Video streams are taken from 24 existing and 12 new CCTV cameras, connected to the Port’s CCTV system Milestone. Images will be passed through AI software to train a PPE algorithm and noncompliance will be flagged for investigation.

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What is the problem to be solved?

Non-compliance with PPE requirements, particularly in high-risk operating areas puts individuals at risk of harm. The Port of Tyne has a goal of “Zero Harm” to employees, contractors, 3rd parties and the public within the Port’s estate.
This use case seeks to understand areas of non-compliance with PPE requirements, so that targeted actions can be undertaken to improve in health and safety culture across the Port.

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What is the solution to the problem?

5G Network Expansion:

The network expansion was to provide private 5G coverage across International Passenger Terminal operating areas and connection back to existing 5G network, to enable Port assets to move between sites and continuously be connected to Port systems. This will also enable future location and operational specific use cases.

This infrastructure was delivered in partnership with Ericsson and has a backhaul connection to the Port’s existing private 5G network on the South side of the river. N77 radios and baseband provide the network coverage and there is a 10gbps backhaul link to connect the new kit to the existing core. In the short term, the new network will enable the infrastructure scanning use case which is based on AI and cloud processing of the images. Longer term, the North side network will support further use cases and development related to ferry and cruise opera4ons which includes passengers, vehicles and RoRo freight.

PPE Detection – Safety use case

Video streams are taken from 24 existing and 12 new 5G-enabled CCTV cameras, integrated with the Port’s existing operational surveillance platform, Milestone, used for port safety and security. Images are passed through AI software to train a PPE algorithm and non-compliance will be flagged for investigation. The data will be used by the Port to understand areas of noncompliance with PPE requirements for targeted actions and to measure improvements in health and safety culture across the Port covering colleagues, contractors, 3rd parties and the public within the Port’s estate, to make a positive impact to the Port’s Zero Harm objective.

This use case is delivered in partnership with Gorilla.

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Commercial model (Business Case)

Port of Tyne is the only Port to have won the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Gold Award four times, and fully compliant with the national standards in Health & Safety, OHSAS:18001.

This use case will provide continuous (24/7) monitoring of high-risk operational areas, identifying non-compliance with PPE requirements. There is a human and financial cost to all health and safety incidents, along with a cost for H&S training, PPE and promoting a “zero harm” health and safety culture. The business case for investing in Health and Safety improvements rests on reducing accidents, incidents and near misses, with the ultimate goal of “zero harm”.

The project supports the continued investment in advanced technology in maritime and related activities at the Port. The investment in 5G on the North side of the river will support future investment to upgrade passenger facilities at the International Passenger Terminal, delivering a better experience for visitors to the area, both UK and International.

The use cases have supported confidence to invest in related technology projects, using the benefits of 5G technology to support planning of automation projects, the use of autonomous vehicles, and improved service for customers. These projects will come forward for assessment over the next 12 – 24 months. We are expecting that investment in these projects will be in the region of £2m - £5m over the coming two years.

Future capital will probably be funded from the Port’s borrowing facilities.

Benefits

PPE Detection – Safety use case: 

The Port currently have regular inspections of operational areas and report incidents and near misses. They are an operational port working 24/7. This use case will provide continuous monitoring of high-risk operational areas, which will provide valuable data to operational managers and into the C-level executives on health and
safety practice within high-risk, operational areas. The Port will use this data to drive targeted H&S training and communications, promoting zero harm. Hardware will be installed before the end of the project, but the data will need to be collected and understood before management can start using it to make improvements.

Lessons Learnt 

• Do: Where procurement of subcontractors and contractors is involved, pre-emptive drafting of
  procurement specifications is beneficial to timely project progression
• Do: Early discussions around resource requirements would have improved processes and
  shorten timescales
• Do: Commence process of supplier induction early to ensure approvals are in place in time to
  carry out onsite work
• Do: 5G network planning - review proposed locations of radio masts alongside ducting maps to
  ensure appropriate connectivity to utilities
• Do: All parties needed to work together and build in additional time to work through the
  interoperability issues, as there have been challenges connecting agreed devices to the private
  network.
• Do: Explore opportunities to collaborate with wider sectors and other companies within the
  supply chain i.e. Plant & equipment OEMs looking to innovate on 5G networks
• Don’t: Underestimate the time and complexity to installing or upgrading a 5G network. 5G
  network upgrade can take longer than initially anticipated
• Don’t: Underestimate the complexity of matching device technology to appropriate vehicles,
  which has presented problems requiring vehicle substitution/modification and network
  upgrade