The future of OHS inspections using intrinsically safe mobile technology
Naaman Shibi A B and Karl V. Ahlgren AA Techs4biz (Pervidi Software), 737 Burwood Road, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: naamans@pervidi.com
The APPEA Journal 58(2) 606-608 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ17044
Accepted: 15 February 2018 Published: 28 May 2018
Abstract
The use of mobile technology is the future of conducting occupational health and safety (OHS) inspection; it addresses many current issues and streamlines the safety inspection process. Performing safety inspections in hazardous areas requires the safety inspector to carry only intrinsically safe (IS) devices certified for the hazardous area. With the introduction of smart phone and tablets, there is now a range of IS devices (Zone 1 and Zone 2) that allow mobile devices to be used in hazardous areas for safety inspections. These new IS devices allow the use of various types of more widespread mobile devices. The technology is extremely flexible and allows for inspection processes to be modified in line with new regulations, standards and organisation specific OHS needs. The benefit of using mobile devices is further clear when considering the lengthy list of new features available to the user. The possibilities through embracing the technological revolution cannot be understated.
Keywords: 4G, android, intrinsic safety, occupational health and safety, operating system, Personal Digital Assistant, speech-to-text, standardised response.
Naaman Shibi is a General Manager at Techs4Biz Australia with over 25 years of experience in the software industry. Mr Shibi completed his MBA at Herriot –Watt University, Edinburgh Business School and his undergraduate at Tel-Aviv University. He has worked with several large public and private international and Australian businesses to automate OHS inspections and processes. He has published several papers on the topic of OHS inspection automation. Mr Shibi’s passions are mobile devices and gadgets, and his personal interests are travel, watching AFL and playing chess. |
Karl Ahlgren is a Marketing Manager at Techs4biz Australia with lengthy experience working with large international information technology businesses. He is currently studying Engineering and Business at the University of Warwick and Monash Business School. His personal interests are technology, followed by sports and travel. |
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