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PETROMAKS2-Stort program petroleum

Smart protective solutinos for industrial safety and productivity in the cold

Awarded: NOK 2.1 mill.

There is an increased activity in the High North, and the industry moves the boundaries further and further north. It is sometimes extreme weather conditions in the north, which in turn places new and challenging demands on those who will work there. Work in cold environments has different negative effects on work ability, health and safety. There may be an increased risk of malfunctions, reduced performance, and significantly reduced comfort during work in such environments. It is therefore a need for new and better solutions in relation to monitoring and analysis for safe work in cold environments. The aim in the SMARTPRO-project was to form the basis for a dynamic decision support system to reduce the risk of workers in extremely cold environments. SMARTPRO is based on the integration of wireless sensors in the protective clothing and bodyworn which indicates when the workers get too cold. This type of sensor-based monitoring functions as objective decision support for safety and performance during work operations in cold environments. The SMARTPRO project has conducted workshops with international partners to establish and develop the knowledge base for this type of decision support solutions. We have further developed and adapted hardware and software for the prototype system, conducted pilot testing and evaluation at SINTEF Work Physiology Laboratory, analyzed data and developed new models, as well as communicated new knowledge from the project through conferences and submitted scientific articles. The main results in SMARTPRO are that a decision support system must be individualized to provide relevant and valid data. Our studies show extremely large individual differences in physiological responses to cold exposure and workload. There is particular for cooling of exposed skin, as well as hands and feet that are critical. By using artificial intelligence using machine learning, the SMARTPRO system could serve as a unique tool for documenting, analyzing and preventing workplace health challenges at risk of serious health outcomes. Saf?ra leads to a broader audience for our research results because of its international nature, and collaboration with other research communities creates a stimulating arena for developing new solutions for health and safety in the North.

This project was consolidated around the basic idea of creating new proactive smart solutions, using both environmental and human data, for the protection in the cold. A prototype smart jacket with integrated sensors, combined with a custom-made sensor belt was used for measuring critical biomedical data. The study demonstrated the applicability of both clothing-integrated and body worn sensors for evaluation of individual real-time cold stress responses. Prototype of the heated glove controlled by skin temperature sensor was developed in the project. The study resulted individual variation specification that can be used for workers safety evaluation together with occupational health care. Also heating elements and their optimum and efficient placement on the hand, fingers and wrist areas were studied. These systematic research based development processes resulted valuable and new scientific information that is already published or in the process of being published.

The physiological information gathered and the algorithms developed in the WP1 will form the basis for a future commercially available sensor-based monitoring system that can provide objective decision-support to advice on safety and work capability for workers during operations in cold climate. This system represents an improvement compared to existing monitoring systems (Wind Chill Index, WCI) used by petroleum industry today. The WCI only takes into account the risk of frostbite. By including a system for detecting risk at an earlier stage (e.g. degradation in manual performance) and allowing for monitoring at an individual level, workers and foremen will have a system for improved decision support. This is expected to lead to longer continuous outdoor working time and safe industrial process without process shutdowns. In addition to petroleum workers, it is expected that the system will be of value within a range of other industries, such as the fisheries, aquaculture, forestry, farming, security surveillance and military. The WP2 is expected to develop smart solutions for hand protection using new design, sensor and software technology and wearable auxiliary heating devices. The workers are expected to be able to do their all tasks without taking off the gloves while working in cold climate. The solutions would be usable in most type of industries requiring good manual performance in cold. Both comprehensive and simple solutions will be developed: comprehensive solutions provide smart heating and warning system together with optimal thermal insulation and simple solutions provide optimal passive (insulative) cold protection. The WP3 will coordinate the activities of all partners and overview the project progress. The project coordinator will be responsible for the internal management and administration of the project, and will provide annually progress report and final report at the end of the project according to reporting regulations. Each partner will be responsible for providing administrative and progress information and cost statements to the project coordinator and to national financers.

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Funding scheme:

PETROMAKS2-Stort program petroleum