RTLS - all you need to know about how it's revolutionizing safety in Oil & Gas

New year, new news! Welcome to TeQ Shield™ Chronicles, a brand-new monthly newsletter that's a roundup of all things at the forefront of digital safety for Oil and Gas.

In our first issue, we'll be taking a look at RTLS Tracking Services and how they've revolutionized safety for the industry.

First off, we found a really informative article on ohsonline (1). The article explores how real-time location services (RTLS) are playing a pivotal role in enhancing safety monitoring for workers in the oil and gas industry.

It discusses how workers in large and dispersed workforces are safe and accounted for through the implementation of RTLS technology.

The article discusses how RTLS utilizes various tracking technologies such as RFID, GPS, WiFi, or Bluetooth to provide real-time information on the exact location of employees within a facility or work environment. The system involves hardware like tags or badges attached to assets or worn by employees, along with software platforms for data collection and analysis.

From a business efficiency perspective, the article looks into how RTLS:

• Optimizes Resource Utilization
• Enables Workflow Monitoring

RTLS technology also enhances worker safety through:

• Location Monitoring for Safety
• Emergency Notifications

Some key safety applications discussed in the article include:

• Emergency Response
• Proactive Safety Measures
• Geofencing

Emergency Situations and Mustering

• Location Tracking during Emergencies
• Automatic Mustering

You can read the complete article here.

One of the key advantages of RTLS is its versatile range of applications. We love this article by ubisense (2) which provides a great overview on 15 various applications of RTLS technology. The applications discussed in the article include:

1. Enhanced Asset Tracking and Management
2. Streamlined Supply Chain and Logistics
3. Improved Warehouse Operations
4. Increased Worker Safety
5. Efficient Fleet Management
6. Optimal Resource Allocation
7. Enhanced Process Automation
8. Preventive Maintenance and Predictive Analytics
9. Optimized Healthcare Operations
10. Increased Manufacturing Efficiency
11. Improved Security and Loss Prevention
12. Enhanced Quality Control
13. Efficient Event Management
14. Optimized Energy Management
15. Improved Customer Experience

Which one works best for you? Read the full article here.

For those of you who would like to get a more detailed overview of how RTLS works, and their key system advantages and functionality, this article by automation.com(3) is a great way to find out more.

The article discusses the use of Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) in industrial settings, emphasizing their unique applicability to address safety and security needs in such environments. Unlike commercial location systems, industrial RTLS focuses on active radio frequency identification (RFID) and industrial wireless technology protocols for real-time locating. RTLS tags are affixed to mobile items or worn by personnel in industrial facilities, providing accurate location information through a wireless mesh design of transmitters or receivers strategically placed throughout the facility.

The benefits of industrial-grade RTLS include reduced mustering time, faster search and rescue during emergencies, improved worker safety and policy compliance, enhanced security, decreased time delays, accurate contract billing, reduced project delays, and increased value from wireless infrastructure.

Companies adopting RTLS in their digital transformation journey seek to address challenges such as rising costs, limited resources for locating systems, safety compliance issues, and contractor rationalization. Traditional location systems struggle with preventing billing inaccuracies, ensuring safety, and managing workforce productivity effectively.

RTLS offers solutions by providing real-time visibility of personnel locations, identifying safety issues, enabling emergency assistance, facilitating mustering, and offering insights into workflow optimization. It also addresses data integrity and integration challenges present in multiple point solutions by consolidating location data in one system, ensuring higher data integrity, ease of use, and compliance with regulatory requirements. Overall, RTLS proves valuable in enhancing safety, optimizing workflow, and improving data integrity in industrial settings.

For a detailed example from Honeywell, read the full article below.

Up next, is a great video that clearly explains the dangers Oil and Gas workers face and the solutions RTLS have in place to keep them safe. A good watch!

If you're looking for RTLS solutions that can improve the safety and productivity of your workers, United Safety can help you. For more info, reach out to us at info@unitedsafety.net

Lastly, it's time for a quick quiz to see how much you know about RTLS. Click the link to take your fun quiz. Good luck!

We hope you join us in our next issue as we deep dive into Computer Vision. Subscribe now!

Your Safety Partners,

United Safety

www.unitedsafety.net

References:

(1) David Kopf, June 1st, 2023, Every worker, everywhere, all at once, accessed on 23rd January 2024 <Every Worker, Everywhere, All at Once -- Occupational Health & Safety>

(2) 15 ways RTLS are changing global industry, accessed on 23 January 2024 <15 Ways Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) Are Changing Global Industry - Ubisense>

(3) Jack Smith, March 31st 2022, Industrial Real Time Location Systems improve safety, security and productivity <Industrial Real-time Location Systems Improve Safety, Security and Productivity>