Challenge

The Man Down solution for monitoring workers in an Italian industrial plant of a major foreign multinational.

In an increasingly innovative industrial world, worker safety remains a top priority. In the glass processing sector, where risks are inherent in every operation, employee protection becomes even more crucial. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), over 2.3 million work-related deaths occur globally each year, many of which could be prevented with the right technologies. Specifically, in glass production plants – such as those housing melting furnaces – workers face significant risks, particularly during maintenance operations.

It is within this context that a global leader in glass packaging decided to take a step forward in safety by choosing Italtel as a technology partner. The goal? To assess the work environment and implement an advanced Man Down solution that addresses the unique safety challenges of this specific extreme industrial environment.

The company, always committed to health and safety at work (HSE – Health, Safety, Environment), faced an additional challenge: in some strategic areas of the plant, the lack of mobile network coverage hindered the implementation of real-time monitoring solutions. In these conditions, Man Down devices, if not supported by a solid network, risked not providing the necessary protection, jeopardizing personnel safety.

Italtel’s solution went beyond providing devices; it also included the implementation of a robust communication network that ensures continuous coverage both inside and outside the plant. Thanks to this innovative infrastructure, the company can now protect at-risk workers, enhancing safety and responding promptly in emergencies.

Solution

The solution developed for the client is based on an advanced Italtel platform for the real-time management and monitoring of safety devices and equipment. To ensure full coverage, an indoor localization network was implemented, allowing for precise tracking of workers’ locations in complex industrial environments.

Each operator equipped with a wearable Man Down device, chosen for its robustness in industrial environments, is continuously monitored through a Cisco Meraki Wi-Fi network combined with an LTE mobile network. This solution creates a hybrid, resilient, and uninterrupted communication system, covering both internal and external plant areas, ensuring constant connectivity even in areas with poor mobile coverage.

The infrastructure is remotely managed by Italtel’s Network Operations Center (NOC), which ensures centralized management and continuous network monitoring, guaranteeing maximum operational efficiency and real-time safety. Moreover, the solution is designed to be fully “turnkey,” including not only the Man Down devices with their associated management and monitoring platform but also the network infrastructure, technical support, and site survey for installation.

Benefits

The company now has access to an innovative and comprehensive solution that has delivered multiple benefits: strengthened commitment to worker safety, improved adherence to safety regulations, and an enhanced reputation in the HSE field, positioning itself as a company that prioritizes safety and the well-being of its employees.

Italtel provides end-to-end solutions for worker safety in high-risk industrial environments. Our expertise in designing secure network infrastructures and managing Man Down solutions enables companies to deploy advanced monitoring systems that are always connected and capable of ensuring an immediate response in emergencies.

Companies operating in critical environments can take advantage of tailored solutions that include wearable devices, network infrastructure, and continuous support services, ensuring the highest possible safety for their workers.