Developing Computer-Assisted Safety Systems: A Mobile Safety Support System for Confined Spaces

Some working environments are defined ooder the Occupational Scifety & Health Act
(1994; OSHA) as confmed spaces. ( e,g: storage tank interiors, drainage systems,
manholes etc). Many workers lack awareness of safe working procedures in
confined spaces. Further hazards, associated with this work environment can be
complex and require information, knowledge and skill to prevent accidents. Thus,
there is a need for a system tbat provides workers with information, communication
and collaborative systems they need to work safely ooder the hazardous conditions
found in confmed spaces. The objective of this project is to create a mobile safety
support system, specifically for use by persons supervising workers who are carrying
out tasks in confmed spaces. Besides that, this system is designed to improve worker
safety behavior by making information, crisis alarms and collaborative problem
solving networks available in a mobile format and last objectives is to reduce the
frequency of accidents, lost-time injuries and fatalities. Basically, there are four main
functionalities of this system which are background information, checklist and
guidelines of work procedures before, during and after entering the confined spaces,
quizzes and also buttons for communication if an emergency happens. This system is
specifically for use by persons supervising workers who are carrying out tasks in
confmed spaces. The aim of this project is to save lives because the statistics of
incidents in confined spaces is increasing day by day and hopefully, by having this
system, more lives will be saved. Safety incident risk can be reduced by putting a
suite of information and communication tools in the hands of persons supervising
work operations in these environments. Besides that, it covers three main areas
which are Heahh, Safety and Environment, Information Technology as well as
Information Systems. Methodology that is used for the development of this project is
prototyping. This methodology was chosen because it quickly provides users with a
system to interact with. Preliminary research fmdings indicated that this system
offers considerable potential for increasing safety in confined spaces.