Expert Blog
Exoskeletons: Science Fiction or Reality?
The article discusses the development of exoskeletons and the experience of testing them in production to reduce the physical load on employees. Tests showed that available industrial models are still far from perfect due to inconvenience of use, low autonomy, and uncertainty of legal status. The material highlights current problems and limitations of the technology, as well as its potential for injury prevention in the field of occupational health and safety.
Optical Systems: A Simple and Effective Solution for Industrial Transport Safety
The article is devoted to the use of safety marker lights (RedLine) to reduce accident rates during the operation of transport equipment at enterprises. The optical system projects light lines on the ground, visualizing the boundaries of the danger zone under poor visibility conditions and the presence of "blind spots". The material presents practical experience in implementing this solution in open-pit mining operations, underground transport, and workshop forklifts of the Kirov branch of JSC "Apatit".
No Risks or Are We in a Mental Trap?
The implementation of a risk-based approach does not always lead to a reduction in occupational injuries, as the organization of the safety system faces mental traps. The article examines typical misconceptions of managers and workers — from underestimating uncertainty and the illusion of someone else's control over risks to ignoring mitigating measures. The material shows why, without feedback from employees and collective threat identification, a risk management system will not be sufficiently effective.
To Punish or to Pardon...
The article examines the problem of fines for violations of occupational health and safety by contractors, which ultimately leads to higher service costs and a shortage of contractors for the customer. The author explains why strict sanctions do not reduce injury rates and proposes an alternative approach — a partial waiver of fines in exchange for contractor investments in the safety of their workers. Such contractual conditions allow the customer to maintain reasonable prices for work, and the contractor organization to improve working conditions without loss of income.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Selection, Use, and Management
The article examines key aspects of the selection, application, and accounting of personal protective equipment (PPE), which is the last line of occupational health and safety in production. The material describes the criteria for selecting PPE taking into account risks and material properties, as well as the rules for maintaining registries and conducting regular testing. The publication will help to properly organize control over protective equipment and increase the level of employee safety.
Reaching Every Employee: An Industrial Safety Communication Program
The article presents the experience of implementing OTEKO's communication program aimed at promoting production safety as a value. The author describes the creation of a unified format for information boards, billboards featuring employees' children, as well as holding competitions and a themed game relay race. The material is useful for learning about various visual communication tools and internal media that help engage employees in safety matters.
Machine Vision in HSE
In the article, the authors share their experience testing computer vision systems in the field of occupational health and safety and industrial safety. Based on the tests, key scenarios for applying the technology are examined — from monitoring the wearing of PPE to monitoring hazardous zones — as well as its benefits in automation and predictive analytics. The material helps assess both the potential of computer vision for increasing safety in production and the challenges associated with costs and technical limitations during implementation.
The Role of the HSE Department in Employee Retention
In conditions of staff shortages, the occupational health and safety department acts as a link between management and the workforce, helping to retain valuable personnel. An attentive attitude towards employee requests, the improvement of working conditions, and addressing safety issues directly affect employee motivation and the formation of a safety culture. The article examines how a proactive stance by HSE specialists and trust in them help enterprises retain staff.
Conducting a Risk Session: Guide Words
The article is devoted to the use of guide words in structured brainstorming during risk sessions using the HAZID and ENVID methods. The author explains how such words serve as a catalyst for thought and help the group not miss important topics for discussion. The material reveals the mechanism of working with ready-made word lists, the specifics of their compilation by the chairman, and key rules for conducting the session.
Practical Training for Employees on Activating Portable Filtering Self-Rescuers
The article is devoted to the organization of practical training of workers in the use of portable filtering self-rescuers (PFSR) for the protection of respiratory and visual organs during a fire. The material examines the basic, intermediate, and advanced levels of worker training, and provides specific examples of practical exercises for each of them. Practicing the presented exercises allows workers to quickly and correctly activate the PFSR in various situations, preserving life and health during a fire.
Human Error
The article examines the nature and causes of human errors in the workplace through the relationship between the personal qualities of the employee and the work environment. The author analyzes the negative consequences of customary disciplinary punishments, which destroy trust and force the hiding of misconduct instead of eliminating the true causes. The publication offers an approach to improving the error response system — from implementing clear algorithms for finding root problems to fair employee motivation.
Virtual and Mixed Reality in Training: Effective Technologies and Their Prospects
The article examines the characteristics and challenges of using virtual and mixed reality for training employees in the field of occupational health and safety and industrial safety. The author shares practical observations on the use of VR simulators, pointing out difficulties with staff adaptation, the technical finickiness of equipment, and content quality. The material provides recommendations on implementing mixed reality elements, using the SCORM format for mass training, and reasonably combining virtual technologies with real-life classes.