BUSINESS
There is still a sort-of ‘ alpha male ( or female )’ mentality where people don ’ t want to report that they are tired , and we really need to change that .”
Technological solutions
As the mining industry enters the age of information , companies are embracing new concepts like the Internet of Things ( IoT ), or Industry 4.0 . This means that technology is creeping in everywhere , including the area of fatigue management , and management of big data is becoming routine to environmental health and safety ( EHS ) managers , as are duties related to employee health and safety .
One of the systems on the market is offered by Predictive Safety , which has introduced a system ( known as PRISM ) that uses leading indicators , real-time inputs and predictive analytics to provide advanced warning when employees enter high-risk behaviour zones .
According to Predictive Safety ’ s Marcus Wichmann , PRISM , or Predictive Risk Intelligent Safety Module , improves site safety and compliance by providing a powerful , non-intrusive monitoring platform to predict and prevent the fatigue risk of each and every employee , before an accident can occur . Using a proprietary algorithm that predicts when fatigue will occur , the system alerts the worker as to when he will become fatigued . It then offers countermeasures to mitigate the effects of fatigue . In the case of unexpected events outside of the work environment , PRISM gives the employee the option to ‘ test out ’ with an alertness evaluation so that his fatigue level reflects a more accurate assessment . Studies the company has undertaken show that PRISM is accurate in calculating and predicting realtime episodes of fatigue up to four hours in advance .
Pixabay Pixabay
Fatigue is a critical safety issue affecting many South African mines .
Too much sugar before going on night shift can cause a blood sugar crash and result in tired workers .
“ When operations introduce a fatigue identification and management process , the measures must not be punitive .”
Pixabay
One of the primary factors responsible for ongoing fatigue is undiagnosed medical conditions .
QUARRY SA | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2018 _ 11