Industry is an environment where production and safety need to go hand in hand. 

Small actions or negligence can have a massive impact on both productivity and worker safety. Industrial accidents are often the result of carelessness that could have been avoided.

In Brazil, according to data from the Occupational Safety and Health Observatory (SmartLab), accidents at work kill at least one person every 3h47min in Brazil.

According to the survey, accidents and deaths have risen in the last two years. In 2020, 446,881 occupational accidents were reported; in 2021, the number rose by 37% to 612,920 reports. In 2020, 1,866 people died in these incidents; last year, there were 2,538 deaths, an increase of 36%. 

This is alarming and only concerns formal jobs. 

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Imagine a factory in full swing, where heavy machinery operates side by side with workers. Seemingly insignificant everyday actions can result in accidents.

This ranges from routine activities such as improper maintenance of machinery, incorrect storage of flammable materials and even inattention when operating equipment.

These accidents not only pose risks to life and safety at work, but also affect companies' profitability. Every hour of downtime due to industrial accidents results in lost production, extra maintenance and repair costs.

Occupational safety risk management is key to avoiding these problems. And that's where intelligent automation comes in, helping to mitigate risks in industrial environments. 

Identifying risks in industrial environments: the first step towards efficient mitigation

Safety in industrial environments begins with the precise identification of risks. This is the basis on which industrial safety strategies are built, in which companies must take preventive measures to minimize exposure to risks and ensure that their workers are safe and protected. 

See the fundamental importance of risk identification, the traditional methods for carrying it out and the main mitigation strategies.

The importance of identifying risks

Risk identification is the foundation of industrial safety. Before any effective mitigation can take place, it is crucial to identify, understand and assess the potential hazards in a working environment. 

Neglecting this measure can result in serious accidents, financial losses and negative impacts on the company's reputation. This first step is therefore essential.

Traditional risk identification methods

Visual Inspections: Carry out regular inspections to identify potential risks, such as inadequate working conditions or damaged equipment.

Documentation Analysis: Review reports, previous accident records and safety manuals to identify areas of concern.

Staff comments: Staff who deal directly with operations often have valuable information about risks. Collecting feedback from employees is an important part of the process.

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Risk mitigation strategies

After identifying the risks, it is essential to implement effective actions to mitigate them. Here are some of the main strategies:

Elimination: Where possible, the risk should be eliminated completely. For example, replacing toxic materials with safer alternatives.

Replacement: If elimination is not possible, replacing the risky elements with something less dangerous is a valid approach.

Engineering control: This involves modifying equipment, processes or workplace layout to reduce exposure to risk.

Administrative control: Define strict guidelines and procedures for safety in the workplace, such as schedules, shifts, training and adequate supervision.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Throughout all stages, providing appropriate PPE for employees is essential to minimize risk. This equipment play a crucial role in preventing accidents and minimizing injuries on industrial sites.

Risk identification and subsequent mitigation are critical steps on the road to safety in industrial environments. By following these traditional methods and adopting the appropriate control strategies, companies can create safer working environments for their employees and minimize the risks associated with industrial operations.

Risk mitigation with intelligent automation

Intelligent automation is a powerful ally in the quest for safer and more efficient industrial environments. This advanced technology combines traditional automation with artificial intelligence, machine learning and IoT resources, enabling continuous monitoring and rapid identification of risks.

The ability to monitor processes and conditions in real time makes intelligent automation a key tool in identifying imminent risks. It can detect anomalies, often subtle, that would be difficult for humans to perceive, ensuring an immediate response.

It is also immune to human errors such as distraction or fatigue, which often contribute to industrial accidents, and autonomous in the decision-making process based on accurate data and learns from experience, improving its ability to identify risks.

The role of intelligent automation in risk mitigation

Continuous Monitoring: Automated systems can monitor processes and conditions in real time, identifying deviations that could lead to accidents.

Rapid responses: When a risk is detected, intelligent automation can trigger immediate responses, such as stopping machinery or setting off safety alarms.

Reducing Human Error: By replacing high-risk tasks performed by humans with automated processes, intelligent automation reduces the likelihood of human errors that could lead to accidents.

Efficiency and productivity: In addition to safety, intelligent automation can improve operational efficiency by reducing downtime and improving productivity.

This strategy is already a fundamental part of the risk mitigation process in industrial environments, as it allows companies to identify and respond to risks more effectively, while improving the efficiency and overall safety of operations. 

Emerging technologies in risk mitigation

Some emerging technologies are playing a crucial role in mitigating risks in industrial environments. These include Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, as well as the use of Remote Monitoring and Advanced Sensors. 

Artificial intelligence and machine learning

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are revolutionizing the way companies approach industrial safety. See the ways in which these emerging technologies are being applied.

Advanced data analysis: AI and AM can analyze large volumes of data to identify patterns and trends that would be difficult to detect otherwise. This helps in the preventive analysis of potential risks.

Predictive maintenance: By monitoring equipment and sensors, AI and AM can predict failures or excessive wear, enabling maintenance before an accident occurs.

Real-time anomaly detection: AI algorithms can detect anomalies in real time, alerting you to any deviation from safety standards and triggering immediate corrective action.

Risk Simulation: AI can be used to create risk simulations in industrial environments, helping companies to identify and mitigate potential threats.

Remote monitoring and advanced sensors

Remote Monitoring and the use of Advanced Sensors are also key to industrial safety. Here are some of the ways in which these emerging technologies contribute to risk mitigation:

Real-time monitoring: Advanced sensors enable continuous monitoring of working conditions, equipment and processes in real time, allowing risks to be identified quickly.

Environmental monitoring: Sensors can measure environmental variables such as temperature, humidity and the concentration of chemicals in the air, helping to prevent accidents related to the working environment.

Equipment monitoring: Industrial equipment sensors can detect wear, overheating and other conditions that could lead to failures or accidents.

Security alerts: Remote monitoring allows security alerts to be sent in real time to employees and supervisors, enabling immediate action to be taken in risky situations.

The application of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Remote Monitoring and Advanced Sensors is revolutionizing the way companies mitigate risks in industrial environments. These technologies offer advanced monitoring, data analysis, anomaly detection and risk prediction, making a significant contribution to safety in the workplace.