Real-time monitoring: the key to navigating WHS standards

Industries across Australia are navigating an era of heightened regulatory oversight. Safety compliance remains a priority — as demonstrated by Safe Work Australia’s current consultation on chemical workplace exposure limits (WELs) — meaning that real-time monitoring and AI-powered solutions are becoming more of a necessity, writes PAUL BERKOVIC, Chief Commercial Officer at Rayven.

Safe Work Australia recently announced plans to review chemical exposure standards in the workplace, indicating they may soon set new exposure limits for nine common chemicals. If these WELs were to be implemented, they would have far-reaching consequences for a range of industries including mining, construction, manufacturing, and oil and gas. The possibility of stricter workplace exposure limits will require all these industries and more to assess their processes, implement improved safety measures, and adopt technologies like real-time monitoring to manage exposure effectively.

If introduced, the responsibility will lie with individual organisations to establish robust infrastructure capable of meeting these evolving safety standards. Coupled with newly emerging mandates across a variety of compliance arenas, including safety protocols, climate reporting, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives — all of which are being tabled with increasing regularity — it’s clear businesses must be in a position to continually adapt their operations in order to remain compliant. In this aspect, leveraging real-time monitoring and AI-powered solutions is now a necessity.

There are steps these industries can take to be proactive with implementing advanced real-time monitoring technology, to ensure compliance with these WELs will be a non-issue, even once new standards are introduced. By doing this, organisations will not only be safeguarding worker health and operational continuity, but will also be getting a real-time view on performance and activity that can unlock all-new optimisations.

The challenges and opportunities of the evolving regulatory landscape

As regulatory oversight is increasing, ESG metrics are simultaneously becoming a defining feature of corporate accountability — as the recent finalisation of the new ASRS standards released in October demonstrates. Businesses are expected to demonstrate — and be able to accurately report on — sustainable practices not only in environmental impact but also in employee welfare and community engagement.

The challenge lies in the pace at which these changes are occurring. Regulatory shifts often demand rapid organisational adaptation, with significant implications for operational processes. For instance, these new chemical exposure standards may only influence workplace safety protocols, but they will also require a review of supply chain decisions, equipment procurement and risk management strategies.

Here, real-time monitoring technology becomes a critical tool for organisations. Rather than reacting to regulatory changes after they are implemented, which may cause a range of operational, logistical and technological headaches, proactively introducing real-time data solutions will keep businesses on the front foot. Not only will it pre-emptively identify risks so that organisations can adapt processes to mitigate potential disruptions, thereby reducing the chance of liabilities, but it can make reporting simple, transparent and accurate; building trust with regulators and stakeholders.

A ripe time to transition to proactive industrial operations

Traditionally, industrial operations have relied on reactive strategies, addressing issues as they arise. While this approach has been common, it often results in inefficiencies, increased costs and missed opportunities. The move towards a proactive model, powered by AI and real-time automation, is transforming the industry landscape.

• Real-time responsiveness: Automation systems capable of acting in real time allow industries to adapt instantly to operational changes, maintaining continuous efficiency and productivity.
• Improved decision-making: AI-powered workflows deliver deeper insights, empowering more informed and effective decisions.
• Predictive insights: AI-driven data analysis enables industries to forecast and prepare for future scenarios, minimising downtime and optimising resource use.
   

This shift towards proactivity not only boosts operational efficiency but also promotes a culture of innovation and ongoing improvement.

Build resilience into infrastructure with real-time monitoring

Businesses across a range of industries will need to quickly rise to the challenge of meeting both current and future safety standards — and there is no more efficient way to do this than integrating real-time monitoring into operational infrastructure.

Traditional safety monitoring too often relies on periodic assessments and manual reporting, which may leave critical blind spots — a guaranteed fast track to non-compliance. By contrast, real-time monitoring, particularly when supplemented by real-time machine learning capabilities to deliver accurate predictive analytics, can provide continuous visibility into workplace conditions and predict impending hazards, enabling immediate action to be taken to mitigate risks or reduce exposure levels to a minimum.

AI-powered sensors and analytics platforms are at the forefront of this transformation. These systems can detect chemical levels, analyse trends and alert people to danger immediately. Body sensors, for example, can be worn that monitor the air to detect hazardous chemicals and gases, with alerts being sent to the individual user. Put in place a complete solution, then cumulative exposure levels can be monitored, allowing managers to deploy staff in a way that prevents them from breaching threshold levels over a given time period.

Integrating such technology requires an upfront investment, but the long-term benefits far outweigh the costs.

Real-time data is the conduit for safer, smarter business decisions

One of the most significant advantages of real-time monitoring with AI capabilities is the ability to transform raw data into actionable insights in the moment. This ensures that safety considerations are integrated into all business decisions, fostering a culture where worker health is prioritised without compromising profitability.

For instance, data collected from real-time monitoring systems can be used to identify patterns and predict potential hazards before they escalate. If a processing plant’s air quality sensors detect a gradual increase in chemical exposure, managers can adjust ventilation systems or reassign workers to safer zones. Such proactive measures not only protect employees but also prevent costly operational downtime.

Furthermore, real-time data supports informed decision-making at the strategic level. By analysing historical and current safety metrics, businesses can evaluate the cost-effectiveness of various interventions, optimise resource allocation, and demonstrate compliance to regulators and stakeholders.

As Safe Work Australia reviews chemical exposure standards and prepares to set new limits, businesses cannot afford to adopt a ‘wait and see’ approach. By investing in real-time monitoring and AI-powered solutions today, organisations can futureproof their operations against evolving regulator demands and get ahead of ASRS standards, all while fostering a safer and more sustainable workplace.

Image credit: iStock.com/Gorodenkoff. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.