Revolutionizing confined space safety management: a case study

Paper Number: Peer reviewed paper APOGCE-2020-AJ19152

Elie Daher and Darrell Dowd, from United Safety, present a groundbreaking approach to confined space safety management in their peer-reviewed paper APOGCE-2020-AJ19152, titled “Revolutionizing Confined Space Safety Management: A Case Study.” The paper was presented at the SPE Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition held from November 17 to 19, 2020. Addressing the challenges of ensuring safety during confined space work, the authors highlight the conventional reliance on safety attendants stationed outside the confined space. They introduce a transformative solution leveraging technological advancements, integrating gas detection, video surveillance, two-way communication, access control, and a centralized command center. The innovative system, featuring real-time gas detection, day-night vision cameras both inside and outside vessels, video recording, and communication tools, enhances safety, boosts productivity, and reduces costs.

This comprehensive solution not only alerts workers to hazardous environments but also offers real-time video observation of activities inside vessels, creating a valuable archive of safe behavior and data logs for future reference. The authors illustrate how this technology redefines the role of safety watch by replacing multiple attendants with two highly qualified personnel operating from a centralized command center. The paper explores examples, provides data on potential cost savings resulting from the implementation of this technology, and envisions further enhancements such as body cameras, monitoring employee well-being, and facility access control. Ultimately, the authors position this innovation as a key element in the digital turnaround of the future, representing a significant leap forward in confined space safety management.