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virtual boundaries for areas where workers can and cannot go. In many industries, it is vital to have a means of isolating locations, such as those with lots of heavy machinery or vehicles in operation, to ensure worker safety. So, as a company’s headcount increases, it becomes even more crucial to remain attentive to all variables that can impact people’s well-being. RTLS can play a significant role in this regard by implementing geofencing. Geofencing lets a company restrict worker traffic in specific areas to prioritize employee well-being. “The platform administrator possesses the capability to designate areas on an interactive map, specifying whether an area is classified as a restrictive ‘hot area’ or a ‘white area’ where the flow of individuals is free,” Turner explains. So, if a worker who does not have access to a limited area enters that work zone, the system will escalate alerts or alarms based on the security hierarchy and protocols within the organization. Of course, while some workers might be in busy environments that require geofencing, there are also oil & gas workers that are completely on their own. Here too, RTLS can help. As long as the RTLS system can establish connectivity with a remote/lone worker’s receiver, it can track an employee who is working by himself or herself. But it can go further than that when part of a larger lone worker safety effort involving a variety of safety technologies, Turner notes. “Obviously, RTLS is part of a safety ecosystem,” she explains. “We have more than just this device to offer a sustainable safety environment for the employee. We have personal gas detection devices that will track any gas intake and things like that. So by no means will the one \[RTLS\] solution will solve every problem, but certainly, as a way to offer a feasible, trackable way to monitor the whereabouts of workers and have the ability to rescue them if a safety situation was to arise, RTLS offers a very good value proposition.” Emergency Situations and Mustering Another notable feature of RTLS is location tracking during emergencies. This technology enables efficient tracking of individuals or critical assets in scenarios such as mudslides, explosions or building collapses, Turner explains. By utilizing this technology, the last known location of those workers or assets can be readily determined. Another safety measure that RTLS can provide during emergencies or safety incidents is automatic mustering. Previously, in the event of a safety incident, individuals had to approach a reader and scan a card to be accounted for. But with RTLS, approaching the mustering area is sufficient for the RFD card signal to be detected, ensuring accurate accountability without additional requirements. “One of the challenges that most businesses have is their inability to have real-time data for active people in the plant, particularly for individuals in specific zones,” Turner says. “However, using our system’s triangulation, you can have an accurate read of active people in a zone with a click of a mouse.” Moreover, this technology enables the ability to differentiate between employees, contractors and visitors, Turner notes. So, in the event of an alarm, precise location information allows for immediate identification of where the alarm originated and who is involved. www.ohsonline.com JUNE 2023 | Occupational Health & Safety 17 EMERGENCY SAFETY SOLUTIONS PERFORMANCE, MEET SAFETY Bradley provides an unparalleled variety of industrial solutions and depth of expertise. Our comprehensive line of tepid water products for safety eye/face wash and drench shower applications ensure the 15 minute flush required by ANSI/ISEA Z358.1. With reliable, effective safety products that are available when and where you need them, Bradley is the name to trust. Emergency Safety Solutions. Brought to Life. bradleycorp.com/halo