TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to an occupational health and safety management system and to a mobile workshop for use in the system. The present invention also relates to a method of operating an occupational health and safety management system.

BACKGROUND ART

A wide variety of dusts or fumes have the potential to cause Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) if exposure is high and over a long period of time. Studies suggest the following substances have the potential to cause COPD:

• Cadmium dust

• Cadmium fumes

• Grain and flour dust

• Mineral dust

• Organic dusts

• Silica dust

• Welding fumes

Some of these substances are also linked to other diseases, for example, welding fumes can cause fume fever and pneumonia. Some can also cause occupational asthma.

Working, including cutting and shaping, building materials is a common task on a work site and is carried out by, for example, quarry workers, stonemasons, builders and construction workers. Many of the materials that are worked contain high levels of a substance called crystalline silica. These materials include concrete, sandstone, granite and brick.

When these materials are worked, the resultant dust contains tiny particles that can be breathed deep into the lungs. This dust is called ‘Respirable Crystalline Silica’ (RCS). Once in the lungs, these particles cause serious permanent damage to a person’s health.

Currently, there exists a problem with monitoring and understanding the extent of exposure after an operator to hazardous environments, such as those generated by the use of cutting and shaping tools. Effective monitoring and understanding of the extent of exposure can provide a site manager with an opportunity to remove or restrict personnel with respect to such environments in a proactive manner, so minimising detrimental long-term health effects that might otherwise be suffered by the personnel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a controlled mobile workshop and to an occupational health and safety management system that includes one or more of the mobile workshops and which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an occupational health and safety management system that comprises: a mobile workshop, the mobile workshop including: an external housing with at least one access opening; at least one workspace defined within the external housing within which work can be undertaken; an air extraction apparatus in fluid communication with the at least one workspace to extract air from within the at least one workspace; a separation apparatus in fluid communication with the air extraction apparatus to substantially remove one or more hazardous substances from the air extracted from the at least one workspace; and monitoring equipment arranged in the workspace, the monitoring equipment being configured to generate data relating to an environment within the workspace and to communicate the data to a data processing apparatus that is configured to read the data.

The air extraction apparatus may be configured so that, in operation, the at least one workspace is maintained at a negative pressure.

The external housing may include a roof, a floor, a distal end wall, a proximal end wall and opposed side walls, with one of the walls defining the access opening.

The at least one internal wall may be arranged in the external housing so that the external housing and the at least one dividing wall defines the at least one workspace. One internal wall in the form of a dividing wall may be arranged in the external housing to define one workspace on one side of the dividing wall and a utilities space on an opposite side of the dividing wall.

A door assembly may be arranged on the housing and may be operable to open and close the access opening.

The monitoring equipment may be configured to communicate the data wirelessly to the data processing apparatus.

The monitoring equipment may include a number of sensors arranged in the workspace, the sensors being configured to sense one or more of the following variables within the workspace:

• Air quality within the workspace

• Tool operating characteristics

• Temperature within the workspace

• Humidity within the workspace • Sound levels within the workspace

• Presence of person(s) within the workspace

• Air pressure within the workspace

• Operational variables of the air extraction apparatus

• Operational variables of the separation apparatus

The sensors may be operatively connected to a data processing apparatus that is configured to receive data from the sensors.

The data processing apparatus may be remote from the mobile workshop and the monitoring equipment may be connected to the data processing apparatus over the Internet.

A control arrangement may be operatively connected to the air extraction apparatus and the separation apparatus to receive data from the monitoring equipment and to control operation of the air extraction apparatus and the separation apparatus in response to the data from the monitoring equipment.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operating an occupational health and safety management system having a mobile workshop including an external housing with at least one access opening, at least one workspace defined within the external housing within which work can be undertaken, and extraction apparatus associated with the at least one workspace to extract air from within the at least one workspace, an air extraction apparatus in communication with the at least one workspace to extract air from within the at least one workspace, a separation apparatus in fluid communication with the air extraction apparatus to substantially remove one or more hazardous substances from the air extracted from the at least one workspace, and monitoring equipment arranged on the workspace, the monitoring equipment being configured to generate data relating to an environment within the workspace and to communicate the data to a data processing apparatus that is configured to read the data, the method comprising the steps of: receiving the data generated by the monitoring equipment at a data processing apparatus; and processing the data.

The data processing apparatus may be remote from the mobile workshop and the method may include the step of communicating the data generated by the monitoring equipment to the data processing apparatus via the Internet.

The method may include the step of receiving data, at the data processing apparatus, relating to a presence of a worker in the mobile workshop so that the time spent by the worker in the workshop can be recorded.

The method may include the step of recording an extent of time spent by the worker exposed to certain environmental variables sensed by the monitoring equipment. The monitoring equipment may include sensors and the method may include the step of sensing one or more of the following variables within the workspace:

• Air quality within the workspace

• Tool operating characteristics, including at least duration of use of tools

• Temperature within the workspace

• Humidity within the workspace

• Sound levels within the workspace

• Presence of person(s) within the workspace

• Duration of person(s) within the workspace

• Air pressure within the workspace

The method may include the step of associating person(s) with at least one of said variables.

The method may include the step of generating reports containing information representing one or more of said variables. The step of generating the reports may include the step of associating one or more of said variables with one or more of the following parameters in the reports:

• Location of mobile workshop

• Time and date

• Tool identification data

• Identification data related to the person(s).

The method may include the step of, with the data processing apparatus, controlling one or more of the following components related to the workspace:

• A door assembly

• One or more tools

• The air extraction apparatus

• Air conditioning apparatus

• An alarm system

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile workshop that comprises: an external housing with at least one access opening; at least one workspace defined within the external housing within which work can be undertaken; an air extraction apparatus in fluid communication with the at least one workspace to extract air from within the at least one workspace; a separation apparatus in fluid communication with the air extraction apparatus to substantially remove one or more hazardous substances from the air extracted from the at least one workspace; and monitoring equipment arranged in the workspace, the monitoring equipment being configured to generate data relating to an environment within the workspace and to communicate the data to a data processing apparatus that is configured to read the data.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile workshop with a contained internal environment, the workshop including: an external housing with at least one access point having at least one door, at least one internal envelope defined within the external housing within which work can be undertaken, the at least one internal envelope being selectively sealable; at least one gas extraction system associated with the at least one internal envelope to collect atmosphere from within the at least one internal envelope; and at least one separation apparatus associated with the at least one gas extraction system to at least partially remove at least one substance from the collected atmosphere.

In another aspect, the present invention resides in a mobile workshop system with a contained internal environment, the workshop system including: at least one external housing with at least one access point having at least one door, and having at least one internal envelope defined within the external housing within which work can be undertaken, the at least one internal envelope being selectively sealable; and at least one utilities module including at least one gas extraction system associated with the at least one internal envelope to collect atmosphere from within the at least one internal envelope and at least one separation apparatus associated with the at least one gas extraction system to at least partially remove at least one substance from the collected atmosphere.

The mobile workshop of a preferred embodiment may further include at least one particulate suppression system including at least one portion mounted within the at least one internal envelope to suppress the dispersion of particulates within the envelope. Any suppression system provided may be liquid based. One or more tools may be be provided in the at least one internal envelope in order to undertake work such as, for example, cutting of stone, concrete or similar materials, which may lead to the formation of particulates which may contain hazardous material. The tools may be associated with or may be used relative to a wet cutting table that includes at least one liquid flow, such as water flow, to suppress the dispersion of the particulates. The wet cutting table or similar may also cool the workpiece, leading to the longevity of the tools. A particular suppression system may be provided in relation to one or more tools located in the at least one internal envelope.

At least one collection system for collecting liquid/sludge/mixture containing particulate material may be provided in the envelope or workspace to collect liquid/sludge/mixture for removal from the envelope, preferably for further processing in order to separate particulate material from the carrier liquid. Once separated, the carrier liquid may be recycled for use in the suppression system and/or held for proper disposal. Thus, the mobile workshop of the preferred embodiment will not only be configured to reduce the dispersal and aid collection of hazardous materials which are airborne or gases but also to reduce the dispersal and aid collection of any particulate material which may be or contain hazardous materials.

The mobile workshop of the present invention may be sufficiently large to allow one or more operators to work within the at least one internal envelope or workspace which is defined within the at least one external housing.

The present invention provides a mobile workshop with a contained, internal environment. The mobile workshop may have various configurations, in accordance with the invention as defined herein. In one configuration, the mobile workshop may be configured as a trailer with the external housing provided relative to one or more pairs of wheels and a tow hitch arrangement associated therewith to provide a self-contained external housing which can be transported to site by a towing vehicle and simply detached and left on site for use. In another configuration, the mobile workshop may be configured as a transportable workshop in which the external housing is one that can be transported on a truck or similar to site and then unloaded or craned into position. For example, the external housing can resemble that of a standardised shipping container. Thus, the mobile workshop can be lifted and transported with conventional lifting and transporting equipment.

The mobile workshop of the present invention may be modular in nature or provided in an integrated configuration. In the modular configuration, one or more workshop units may be associated with an extraction unit and/or wet system collection and/or separation system provided in one housing and then with one or more conduits provided to connect the extraction unit with the one or more workshop units as required. Collection elements of the collection and extraction system may be provided within one or more workshop units in order to collect hazardous material or materials including hazardous material and the collected materials may then be transported to the extraction unit and/or wet system collection and/or separation system for treatment.

One or more workshop spaces or internal envelopes may be provided in different housings for the same purpose but in different locations, or one or more workshop spaces or internal envelopes may be provided for different purposes and then all connected to a single air treatment module.

The at least one internal envelope may be sealed and may be airtight and each internal envelope is either associated with or connected to an air treatment module or to the utilities area depending upon the configuration of the mobile workshop.

Therefore, all of the components may be provided in a single external housing, or the utilities components may be separated into a separate unit and associated with one or more housings each of which include at least one internal envelope. In one aspect, the invention includes a workshop with an external housing with at least one access point having at least one door. As mentioned above, the workspace may be provided in two alternative embodiments, namely an integrated embodiment in which the workspace is provided in the same external housing as the utilities, or in a modular embodiment in which one or more workspaces are provided in separate workspace modules, each having their own external housing, each associated with an air treatment module provided in an external housing and associated with each of the one or more workspace modules.

The, or each, external housing may be substantially rigid. The, or each, external housing may be generally rectangular, for example, the shape of a standardised transport container. The provision of a rigid external housing allows transport of the housing and any components therein and protects the internal components. The generally rectangular shape typically allows better packing if more than one housing requires transport at the same time.

The, or each, external housing may define the at least one internal envelope or the at least one internal envelope may be defined within the external housing. In some preferred embodiments, the walls, floor and roof of the external housing may define the at least one internal envelope. In an alternative embodiment, one or more internal envelopes may be defined within the walls, floor and roof of the external housing through the provision of one or more other members or arrangements to define one or more internal envelopes.

Although more than one access point may be provided, typically a single access point is provided for both entry and egress of operators and/or workpieces to and from the external housing. The access point may be defined by one or two doors depending upon the size of the external housing. Any doors which are provided as a part of the access point may be securable to allow for transport. As mentioned above, the one or more doors may be sealable in order to define a portion of the at least one envelope or the doors may be opened or closed independently of an access point to the at least one internal envelope.

The at least one access point to the external housing and/or at least one access point to the at least one internal envelope may be controlled in order to either deny access from outside when work is being performed, such as when a tool or similar is being operated within the at least one envelope, and/or opening the at least one access point to the external housing and/or to the at least one internal envelope may cut off operation of any tools within the external housing and/or at least one internal envelope. One or more kill switches may be provided in order to manually cut off the tools and/or the tools may be automatically cut off if an access point is opened.

Further, access to the at least one internal envelope and/or external housing may be prevented for a period after work within the workspace or at least one internal envelope has ceased to minimise the chance of dispersion of any potentially hazardous material. Access to the at least one internal envelope and/or external housing may be prevented depending upon the results of monitoring which takes place within the at least one internal envelope, again to minimise the chance of dispersion of any potentially hazardous material.

In this specification, the term “airtight” refers to preventing any loss of atmosphere that may carry potentially hazardous material from the at least one envelope. In certain preferred embodiments, the at least one door will be closed during operation in which case, the at least one envelope can be more easily be made airtight. In other embodiments however, an air curtain may be operated in such a way that the at least one door may be left open with the air curtain effectively sealing the at least one envelope to prevent any loss of atmosphere that may carry potentially hazardous material from the at least one envelope.

Therefore “airtight” is in relation to the escape of atmosphere from the at least one envelope, not necessarily requiring that the at least one envelope be closed using physical walls.

As mentioned above, the at least one internal envelope is typically defined around a workspace which may be defined within an external housing separately from the walls, floor and roof of the external housing, or the housing walls, floor and roof may define at least one internal envelope (perhaps with a divider wall if provided in the integrated configuration with the utilities provided in a single external housing).

The at least one internal envelope may be provided around a workspace. As should be clear, it is not necessary that the utility unit operations such as separation and recycle for example be provided within the at least one internal envelope but it may be the case that at least a collection portion of these unit operations will be provided or associated with the at least one internal envelope.

More than one internal envelope may be defined within a single external housing, for the same or for different purposes.

Monitoring equipment may be provided within the or each internal envelope in order to monitor the environment, and particularly the level of any one or more hazardous materials within the at least one internal envelope. The monitoring equipment may be configured to report any levels to operators within the at least one internal envelope and/or report to a remote location outside the at least one internal envelope for external monitoring.

The, or each, internal envelope may be at least partially defined by fluid resistant walls and/or floor and/or roof in order to allow washing down of the internal envelope from within in order to collect any particulate material that may settle on the walls and/or floor and/or roof during the work, preferably prior to opening any access point.

One or more air or gas extraction systems and/or one or more air or gas extraction components may be provided to collect atmosphere from within the at least one internal envelope. A general extraction system may be provided to collect atmosphere or air from an upper portion of the at least one internal envelope and to create a negative pressure within the at least one internal envelope.

One or more tool specific extraction components may be provided, such as extractor heads and conduits which are linked to any one or more of the tools which may be used within the at least one internal envelope in order to remove any bulk particulate or gas which may be formed at the source of the work. Any one or more tool specific extraction systems or components may be linked to the general extraction system.

The, or each, of the extraction systems provided may be linked to one or more separation apparatus. Any type of extraction system may be provided. An extractor conduit may be provided within the at least one internal envelope with one or more vent inlets and may be associated with an extraction pump to suck or withdraw atmosphere from the at least one internal envelope. Any extractor conduit may be provided within the at least one internal envelope in an elevated position, preferably above a work area. The extractor conduit may extend substantially along a length of the workspace.

The one or more tool specific extraction systems may have an extractor head associated with the tool or a housing related to the tool. An extractor conduit may extend between the extractor head and the preferred general extractor conduit.

The general extraction conduit may be manufactured from a plastic or light metal and may therefore be substantially rigid. Any tool specific extractor conduits which are provided may be flexible. Any tool specific extractor conduits may be extendable and retractable, for example a system may be provided allowing extension and retraction of a fixed length extractor conduit or the extractor conduit itself may be length adjustable.

The present invention includes at least one separation apparatus associated with the at least one gas extraction system to at least partially remove at least one substance from the collected atmosphere. The at least one separation apparatus may include at least one filter but may include other types of separation apparatus.

The separation apparatus may be chosen and configured to remove one or more materials from the collected atmosphere. The particular type and configuration of separation apparatus or system which is implemented may be dependent upon the material or materials that are to be removed. For example, welding fumes will typically require a different separation apparatus and/or system, for example a carbon filter, than a separation apparatus or system designed to remove respirable crystalline silica which can likely be removed using a much coarser filter than that required for welding fumes.

More than one separation apparatus may be provided as a part of a separation system. For example, more than one separation stage may be provided to remove different materials or materials that are different size fractions, for example. Once the potentially hazardous material has been removed from the collected atmosphere, the collected atmosphere which has been "cleaned" can be returned to the at least one envelope, for example through an air curtain and/or may be vented to the atmosphere.

Climate control may be provided in relation to the at least one envelope, for example an airconditioner or similar, to provide controlled atmosphere into the at least one envelope. An external housing such as a metal shipping container is prone to over-heating and air- conditioning or similar may be required in order to provide a comfortable working environment within the external housing.

The separation equipment may be connected to the air-conditioner and/or to the external atmosphere separately from the air conditioning. The return atmosphere from the separation apparatus may be reinjected into the external housing by the air conditioning.

The at least one envelope may be provided with a wet floor system allowing liquid to be used to wash down or suppress any dust which may be formed within the at least one envelope and washed into a collection area, typically in an underfloor collection area. In a preferred form, a one or more floor grates may be provided with openings therein to allow material to settle through or be washed through the one or more floor grates into a collection area or sump to then allow removal of this material from the at least one envelope. Preferably, liquid such as water may be used within the at least one envelope to carry any dust or particulate waste material into the collection area or sump. The liquid such as water acts as a carrier for any dust or particulate waste material and the charged liquid can be provided to a wet separation apparatus or system.

Other configurations of wet separation apparatus or systems which are appropriate to separate any potentially hazardous materials carried by a liquid can be used.

The at least one envelope may include one or more work areas or worktables. As mentioned above, work areas or worktables may be associated with collection equipment to collect airborne materials from close to the point of creation and collection equipment to collect any liquid wash materials. For example, wet cutting tables may be provided to spray or inject a liquid such as water on to a workpiece so that the workpiece can be cut in a wet environment which not only decreases the dispersion of airborne particulates but also increases the operating life of the cutting tools. One or more collection sumps may be provided in association with a wet cutting table to collect liquid charged with particulate material which can then be taken to a separation apparatus to separate potentially hazardous materials carried by the liquid. Any type of collection apparatus may be provided such as one or more grates or workpiece supports including slots or other openings through which the liquid may drain, and/or extraction equipment or the like.

Utility equipment associated with each workspace may include at least one airborne material separator and at least one wet separator or scrubber. In combination, this allows separation of potentially hazardous materials from any atmosphere as well as from any fluid charged with hazardous material which is collected from within the at least one envelope.

Various embodiments of the mobile workshop may include at least one onboard water tank to provide an on-board, self-contained water supply to be used for wet cutting, hosing down, or washing.

Access control to the access points and/or to the at least one internal envelope may be slaved to monitoring devices located within the at least one internal envelope such that access is only granted when the monitored levels are below a preset "safe" level.

Other components that may be included in the mobile workplace may include any one or more of at least one swinging arm hoist, one or more fire extinguishers or other safety equipment, one or more sensors or alarms such as a fire alarm for example, one or more first aid supplies, one or more hoods/troughs for fumes, one or more metal workbenches, one or more articulating/extraction arms, one or more compressors, spray painting facilities, one or more welding panels/curtains, one or more plastic curtains (divided clear curtain), one or more wash bays, one or more removable access ramps, one or more air monitoring kill switches or similar devices, waterproof internal finishes, one or more float valves for wet underfloor trough, and/or one or more fire rated/water proof insulation panels.

Any of the features described herein can be combined with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

Reference to any prior art in this specification is not to be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

Various embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description is not intended to limit the scope of the preceding paragraphs or the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of a mobile workshop, for use in an embodiment of an occupational health and safety management system.

Figure 2 is a three-dimensional view of a further embodiment of a mobile workshop for use in an embodiment of an occupational health and safety management system.

Figure 3 is a three-dimensional view, from above, of the mobile workshop of figure 1 .

Figure 4 is a three-dimensional section view of the mobile workshop of figure 3 along line A-A in figure 3.

Figure 5 is a three-dimensional section view of the mobile workshop of figure 3 along line B-B in figure 3.

Figure 6 is a detailed view of part of the mobile workshop as shown in figure 5. Figure 7 is an end view of the configuration of figure 3, viewed along an arrow “D” in figure 3.

Figure 8 is an opposite end view of the configuration of figure 7, with an end wall removed for clarity to show a utilities space of the workshop.

Figure 9 shows components of an embodiment of a mobile workshop removed from an external housing.

Figure 10 shows an embodiment of a mobile workshop located on a landing or loading platform relative to a high-rise building.

Figure 11 shows part of a high-rise building illustrating possible locations of a number of mobile workshops.

Figure 12 is a schematic view of a modular system showing a utilities module servicing two mobile workshops.

Figure 13 shows a utilities space of an embodiment of a mobile workshop.

Figure 14 shows an air treatment module for use with an occupational health and safety management system.

Figure 15 shows a waste material collection arrangement for use with an occupational health and safety management system.

Figure 16 shows an inspection arrangement for use with an occupational health and safety management system.

Figure 17 shows an operating station for use with an occupational health and safety management system.

Figure 18 shows a layout of components of an occupational health and safety management system.

Figure 19 shows an embodiment of an occupational health and safety management system.

Figure 20 shows a control arrangement for an embodiment of a mobile workshop.

Figure 21 shows an loT sensing arrangement for use with one or more of the mobile workshops described herein.

Figure 22 shows components of a client-side of the occupational health and safety management system.

Figure 23 shows a communications gateway between a client side and a server side of the occupational health and safety management system.

Figure 24 shows web-based components of the server side of the occupational health and safety management system. Figure 25 shows application components of the server side of the occupational health and safety management system.

Figure 26 shows a log report generated by the occupational health and safety management system.

Figure 27 shows an activity report generated by the occupational health and safety management system.

Figure 28 shows a control usage report generated by the occupational health and safety management system.

Figure 29 shows a site history report generated by the occupational health and safety management system.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally indicates an embodiment of a mobile workshop, for an embodiment of an occupational health and safety management system and method.

The mobile workshop 10 includes a housing 12. The housing 12 includes a roof 14 and a floor 16. The housing 12 includes a distal end wall 18, a proximal end wall 20 and opposed side walls 21 . The proximal end wall 20 defines an access opening 22.

An internal wall, in the form of an internal divider wall 24 is arranged in the housing 12, and is interposed between the end walls 16, 18 so that the housing 12 has an internal envelope or workspace 26 on a proximal side of the divider wall 24 and a utilities area or space 28 on a distal side of the divider wall 24. The divider wall 24 engages the floor 16, the roof 14 and the side walls 21 . Such engagement can be in a sealed manner. It will be appreciated that further divider walls or other arrangements can be provided such that the workshop 10 can include more than one workspace.

A door assembly 30 is arranged on the housing 12 and is operable to open and close the access opening 22. The door assembly 30 is arranged on the proximal end wall 20.

At least one air extraction apparatus 32 is associated with the workspace 26 to collect atmosphere or extract air from within the workspace 26. A separation apparatus 34 is in fluid communication with the air extraction apparatus 32 to substantially remove one or more hazardous substances from the extracted air.

The mobile workshop 10 is thus configured to provide an enclosed environment to limit the escape of potentially hazardous materials such as, but not limited to, respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and/or welding fumes or the like.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the mobile workshop 10 allows one or more persons or operators 36 to work within the workspace 26. Each operator 36 can wear personal protection equipment (PPE) 38 to provide further protection from hazardous material. The mobile workshop 10 can have a variety of configurations. For example, in a first configuration such as that illustrated in figure 2, the mobile workshop 10 may be configured as a trailer with one or more pairs of wheels 40 arranged on the housing 12 and a tow hitch arrangement 42 associated therewith so that the workshop 10 can be transported to site by a towing vehicle and detached and left on site for use.

In a further configuration, such as that shown in figures 1 and 3, the mobile workshop 10 is configured as a transportable workshop in which the housing 12 is a shipping container or has lifting connectors similar to those of a shipping container, for example, so that the workshop 10 can be transported, in a conventional manner, to a site and then unloaded or craned into position.

The housing 12 is rigid and generally rectangular as shown. The provision of a rigid external housing 12 allows transport of the housing 12 and any components therein and protects the internal components. The provision of a generally rectangular shape typically allows better packing for transporting multiple workshops 10.

The housing 12 may define the workspace 26, or the workspace 26 may be defined within the housing 12. In one embodiment, a single internal workspace or envelope is defined within the walls, floor, and roof of the housing 12, through the provision of a number of waterproof panels.

Although more than one access point or opening may be provided, typically a single access opening is provided for both entry and egress of operators 36 and/or workpieces to and from the workspace 26. The door assembly 30 may include one or two doors 44, depending on the size of the housing 12.

Access to the workspace 26 is controlled, for example electronically controlled, in order to deny or allow access from outside. Access can be denied when work is being performed such as when a tool or similar is being operated within the workspace 26. The access can be controlled so that when access is allowed, tools being operated within the external housing are automatically switched off. In addition, one or more kill switches may be provided in order to switch off the tools manually.

Preferably, working components such as tools 46 and collection or suppression equipment such as extraction conduits 48 of the air extraction apparatus 32, are provided at least partially within the workspace 26 in order to collect material from within the workspace 26, for example, directly from the tools 46.

In the illustrated embodiments, monitoring equipment 50 is provided within the workspace 26 to monitor the environment, including the level of any one or more hazardous materials within the workspace 26. The monitoring equipment 50 displays information to the operators 36. The monitoring equipment 50 can also communicate reports to a remote location outside the workspace 26 for external monitoring. This can be done wired or wirelessly. In the drawings, the monitoring equipment 50 is shown as a single component. However, it will be appreciated that the monitoring equipment 50 also includes a number of sensors, such as loT sensors, that are operatively located with respect to the workspace 26 to monitor one or more of the following variables:

• Air quality within the workspace 26

• Operating characteristics of tools within the workspace 26

• Temperature within the workspace 26

• Humidity within the workspace 26

• Sound levels within the workspace 26

• Presence of person(s) within the workspace 26

• Air pressure within the workspace 26

• Operational variables of the air extraction apparatus 32 such as load and running time

• Operational variables of the separation apparatus 34 such as filter load and running time

For the purposes of clarity, the sensors are not shown, and should be regarded as being represented by the monitoring equipment 50. As will be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in this field, loT sensors capable of monitoring and generating data signals relating to a large number of variables are readily available. It is envisaged that any number of such loT sensors can be used in relation to the workspace to monitor the above variables and further variables, if required.

As shown in figures 4 and 5, work lights 52 and clean-up equipment such as one or more hoses 54 to hose down the walls and work area, are provided within the workspace 26.

The air extraction apparatus 32 is operable to maintain a negative pressure within the workspace 26 relative to atmospheric pressure, to minimise the chance of any hazardous material escaping from the workspace 26. It is envisaged that the workspace 10 can be substantially sealed, in operation, with an inlet being in fluid communication with the workspace 10 to accommodate operation of the air extraction apparatus 32.

The floor and walls 16, 18, 20 can be fluid resistant so that the workspace 26 can be washed from within to collect any settled particulate material.

The air extraction apparatus 32 includes an extraction conduit 56 for drawing air from an upper portion of the workspace 26 to generate the negative pressure within the workspace 26. The air extraction apparatus 32 includes an extraction pump, which can be operated while the workspace 26 is closed or during operation of an air curtain.

One or more specific extraction systems or extraction system components can be provided in combination with the general extraction conduit to form part of the air extraction apparatus 32. For example, one or more tool-specific extraction conduits 58 are linked to an extractor head 60 (figures 4 and 5) associated with each of the tools 46 to remove any bulk particulate or gas which may be formed at the source of the work. The extraction conduit 56 can be provided with one or more vent inlets, for example, a vent inlet 62 and associated with an extraction pump to extract or withdraw atmosphere from the workspace 26.

The extraction conduit 56 can be of a plastics material or a low-weight metal, such as aluminium. The conduit 56 can be substantially rigid. The tool-specific extractor conduit(s) 58 can be flexible and extendable and retractable.

The extraction conduit 56 is connected to the separation apparatus 34 located in the utilities space 28. The separation apparatus 34 includes at least one filter but can include other types of separation apparatus configured to remove one or more materials from the air extracted from the workspace 26. The type and configuration of separation apparatus or system which is implemented depends on the material or materials which are to be removed. For example, welding fumes require a different separation apparatus and/or system, for example a carbon filter, to a separation apparatus or system designed to remove respirable crystalline silica which can be removed using a much coarser filter than that required for welding fumes. The separation apparatus may include a HEPA filter.

Once the potentially hazardous material has been removed from the extracted air, the “cleaned” air can be returned to the associated internal envelope, via an air curtain conduit 64 and an air curtain delivery head 66 with a slotted opening 68 that spans the access opening 22, so that the cleaned air generates the air curtain as air is pumped out through the slotted opening 68 across the access opening 22. It is envisaged that the cleaned air can be returned via other mechanisms that would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

A climate control apparatus can be in fluid communication with the workspace 26. The climate control apparatus can be in form of an air-conditioner 70 to condition an atmosphere in the workspace 26.

A configuration of the utilities space 28 is shown in figure 8. The utilities space 28 includes an outlet 72 of the extraction conduit 56 which leads to a dry air separation unit 74 with a return 76 to the air curtain conduit 64. The utilities space 28 includes a wet scrubber unit 78, a condenser unit 80 from the air conditioner 70 and a power supply and power controller 82 associated with one or more batteries to power the workshop 10. Alternatively, a mains power and/or water connection can be provided.

The workshop 10 may be provided with a wet floor system allowing liquid used to wash down or suppress any dust which may be formed within the workspace 26 to be drained into a collection area, for example, an underfloor collection area 84 (figure 5). The wet floor system includes a trough 85 in which water can be retained at all times during operation. One or more floor grates 86 may be provided, arranged on the trough 85, with openings therein, to allow material to settle through or be washed through the floor grates 86 into the collection area 84 defined by the trough 85 to allow removal of this material from the workspace 26. Preferably, liquid such as water may be used within the workspace 26 to carry any dust or particulate waste material into the collection area 84, which can then be pumped to a wet separator by a pump 88 (figure 4). The pump 88 is a puddle pump and is configured to pump liquid from the trough 85 when the liquid reaches a predetermined level in the trough 85. Liquid in which the waste material is entrained can be provided to the wet scrubber unit 78. The trough 85 can be sloped to facilitate movement of the liquid into a suitable zone at the pump 88.

As shown, one or more work areas or worktables 90 are positioned in the workspace 26. The worktables 90 may be associated with collection equipment, which is capable of collecting both airborne materials, from close to a point of creation, and liquid wash materials. The worktables 90 can be wet cutting tables, such as those illustrated in figures 4 and 5. These may be provided to spray or inject a liquid such as water on to a workpiece so that the workpiece can be cut in a wet environment which not only decreases the dispersion of airborne particulates but also increases the operating life of the cutting implement. Preferably, each table has a collection sump 92 (figure 4) to collect liquid charged with particulate material which is then directed to the underfloor collection area 84 to be taken to a separation apparatus in the utilities space 28 in order to separate potentially hazardous materials carried by the liquid.

Each tool 46 provided in the workspace 26 to undertake work such as cutting of stone, concrete or similar materials, is used with a wet cutting table 90, which includes at least one liquid flow, such as water, to suppress the dispersion of the particles. The wet cutting table 90 or similar will also help to cool the workpiece which may add to the longevity of the tools.

At least one collection system for collecting liquid/sludge/mixture containing particulate material can be provided in the workshop 10 to collect liquid/sludge/mixture for removal from the workspace 26, for example, for further processing, in order to separate particulate material from the carrier liquid. Once separated, the carrier liquid may be recycled for use with a dust suppression system or the wet tables 90 and/or held for proper disposal.

In this way, the mobile workshop 10 is not only configured to reduce dispersal and aid collection of hazardous materials which are airborne, or gases, but also aids collection of any particulate material which may be or may contain hazardous materials.

Thus, the utility equipment associated with each workshop 10 and located in the utilities space 28 can include at least one airborne material separator and at least one wet separator or scrubber. In combination, this allows separation of potentially hazardous materials from any atmosphere or air as well as from any fluid charged with hazardous material which is collected from within the workspace 26.

The workshop 10 can also include at least one onboard water tank to provide an on-board, self- contained water supply to be used for wet cutting or hosing down or washing, for example.

The embodiments of the invention thus provide multiple systems within the at least one internal workspace or associated with the at least one internal workspace to reduce the dispersion of hazardous material at the point of creation and/or to collect atmosphere and liquid containing any potentially hazardous material for separation.

In one configuration, access control to the access point(s) or opening(s) and/or to the at least one internal envelope or utilities space 28 is slaved to monitoring devices, such as the monitoring equipment 50, located within the at least one internal workspace 26 such that access is only granted when the monitored levels are below a pre-set “safe” level.

In an embodiment of an occupational health and safety management system, in accordance with the invention, a number of the mobile workshops 10 can be located on site. For example, as shown in figures 10 and 11 , the mobile workshops 10 can be positioned, respectively, on loading bays or platforms 94 mounted on various floors of a multi-storey building 96. This allows the convenience of working in safe environments without the need to exit the building or to carry workpieces in and out of the building.

An alternative configuration is illustrated in figure 12. Here, a separate utilities module 98 has the space 28 within which the various utilities described above are located. The configuration of figure 12 is thus a modular workshop system. In this example, the system includes two workshops 100, 102 with respective external housings of different sizes, for example, a smaller housing based on a 10 foot shipping container and a larger housing based on a 20 foot shipping container. Each of the workshops 100, 102 are substantially the same as the workshop 10, with the smaller workshop 100 being suited for a single operator and the workshop 102 being suited for two operators. It is envisaged that the workshop 10 can be interchanged with either of the workshops 100, 102.

Each of the workshops 100, 102 is associated with the utilities module 98 so that they can share the utilities described above and located within the space 28 of the utilities module 98. Thus, in this modular configuration, one or more workshops, for example the workshops 100, 102 may be associated with an extraction unit and/or wet system collection and/or separation system provided in the module 98 using conduits 104 provided to connect the gas extraction system of the utilities module 98 with each of the workshops 100, 102, as required. Collection elements can then be provided within the workshops 100, 102 to collect hazardous materials to be transported to the extraction unit and/or wet system collection and/or separation system in the module 98 for treatment.

In figure 13, there is shown another example of a utilities space, generally indicated with reference numeral 108. A storage tank 106 is located within the space 108. The storage tank 106 is used for storing liquid used in the wet scrubbing process described above. The storage tank 106 is connected to scrubbers 110 so that liquid in the storage tank 106 can be circulated through the scrubbers 110, during the scrubbing process. Suitable drainage outlets 112 are mounted on the tank 106 so that the liquid can be drained. It is envisaged that the space 108 and the associated components can replace the space 28 and associate components. The occupational health and safety management system, in accordance with the invention, can include one or more discrete air treatment modules, one of which is shown at 114 in figure 14. The air treatment module 114 is configured to be connected to a zone that needs to be supplied with treated air and also that requires a negative pressure environment.

The air treatment module 114 includes a housing 116 . An air scrubber 118 is arranged within the housing 116. The scrubber 118 is connected to a conduit assembly 120 containing supply and delivery conduits so that a recirculating air supply can be provided to the zone referred to above. The treatment module 114 includes an air mover 122 connected to the air scrubber 118 for driving air from the zone through the scrubber 118. The air mover 122 is configured so that the conduit assembly 120 can generate a negative pressure within the zone, our outward airflow from the zone, while providing clean air to the zone from the scrubber 118. A power and control assembly 124 is arranged within the housing 116 to power and to facilitate control of the scrubber 118 and the air mover 122. In one embodiment, the module 114 can include at least some of the components contained in the space 28.

The housing 116 is configured so that conveyance and location of the module 114 with a conventional lifting and moving apparatus is facilitated. Thus, one or more of the modules 114 can be positioned in suitable locations in a worksite. The housing 116 can be configured to facilitate lifting and moving with a conventional apparatus used for lifting and moving standardised containers, such as shipping containers.

In figure 15, reference numeral 126 generally indicates a waste material collection arrangement for use with an embodiment of an occupational health and safety management system.

The waste material collection arrangement 126 includes a bin or skip 128. A hood 130 is positioned above the skip 128 with a suitable support structure, or support frame 132. The hood 130 is pivotal relative to the support frame 132. A screen 134 is interposed between sides of the hood 130 and sides of the skip 128 to create a partially enclosed volume above the skip 128, while maintaining an access area 136, allowing waste to be discharged into the skip 128.

The hood 130 defines an inlet opening 138. An extraction conduit 140 is mounted on the hood 130 to be in fluid communication with the volume above the skip 128. The extraction conduit 140 can be connected to an extraction unit or, for example, to the module 114, described above. Thus, operation of the module 114 serves to generate air flow out of the volume, via the inlet opening 138, so that any dust and other airborne particulate matter can be drawn into the extraction conduit 140 to be processed or cleaned by the module 114.

It will be appreciated that the module 114 can be connected to any number of different apparatus for generating a negative pressure within, or air flow out of, an operational volume of the apparatus and to clean the air extracted from the operational volume.

One such apparatus is a goods inspection assembly 142, as shown in figure 16. The goods inspection assembly 142 includes a housing 144 in which goods to be inspected are received. For example, the housing 144 can be a security inspection enclosure, such as that used at a personnel access point. A conveyor arrangement 146 is positioned within the housing 144 and is configured so that goods and products to be inspected can be passed through the housing 144. A screen 148 is mounted on the housing 144 so that an inspection volume within the housing 144 is at least partially enclosed. The housing 144 includes an inlet opening 150. A conduit assembly is connectable to the housing 144 to be in fluid communication with the inlet opening 150. The conduit assembly serves to interconnect the housing 144 and the module 114 so that a flow of air out of the housing 144, via the inlet opening 150, can be generated within the housing 144 so that air from the housing 144 can be treated by the module 114.

Another example of such an apparatus is an operating station 152, as shown in figure 17. The operating station 152 includes a partially open enclosure 154. A support stand or table 156 extends through the enclosure 154. A product, such as a pipe section 158, can be positioned on the table 156. The pipe section 158 can be of a material that is hazardous, such as asbestos. The enclosure 154 includes an inlet 160. The inlet 160 is connected to the conduit assembly 120 of the module 114 so that a volume of air within the enclosure 154 can be treated by the module 114. Also, the volume of air within the enclosure 154 can be kept at a negative pressure to inhibit the escape of hazardous materials from the enclosure 154.

In figure 18, reference numeral 200 generally indicates an example of a layout of components for an occupational health and safety management system.

The layout 200 includes a building structure 202. The structure 202 includes a number of discrete, atmospherically isolated, rooms or enclosures 204 in which various operations can be carried out. These enclosures 204 include two enclosures 204.1 that require a negative air pressure, or general outflow of air, and four enclosures 204.2 that do not require a negative air pressure or outflow. A transportable workshop module 206 is also positioned within the building structure 202. The transportable workshop module 206 includes a housing 210. Access to the transportable workshop module 206 is via doors 212 that are configured for sealing closure. The module 206 can include transparent panels for visibility. The housing 210 can be particularly suited for lifting and transport with conventional equipment, such as that used for lifting and transporting standardised containers such as shipping containers. The module 206 has an inlet that is connectable to a primary air conduit 216 so that a negative pressure atmosphere can be generated within the module 206. The module 206 can be similar to the workshop 10, which should be considered interchangeable with the module 206.

A manifold 218 is mounted on an inlet of the module 114. The primary air conduit 216 is connected to the manifold 218 so that the module 114 is operatively connected to the module 208. Thus, operation of the module 114, as described above, can treat the air within the module 208 and maintain the required negative air pressure within, or general outflow of air from, the module 208. The primary air conduit 216 is also connected, via secondary conduits 220 to each of the enclosures 204.1 to generate and maintain the required negative air pressure in the enclosures 204.1 . Thus, air within the enclosures 204.1 can also be treated.

The extraction conduit 140 that is connected to the hood 130 of the waste material collection arrangement 126 is also connected to the manifold 218. Thus, the module 114 can be used to extract dust and other harmful particulate matter from a volume above the skip 128, as described above.

It will be appreciated that the layout 200 is schematic and can be varied depending on requirements. The illustration in figure 18 is to emphasise the flexibility of the occupational health and safety management system and associated components such that the system can be used in a variety of different applications at work sites or the like.

In figure 19, reference numeral 250 generally indicates an embodiment of an occupational health and safety management system, in accordance with the invention, and illustrates a method of operating an occupational health and safety management system, in accordance with the invention.

The system 250 is particularly suited for the management of a working environment in which dust, fumes and other dangerous or harmful airborne products are generated, as described in the background. It will be appreciated that the embodiment shown in figure 19 can be varied and added to in various ways, depending on the required application.

The system 250 includes a number of the mobile workshops 10, three of which are shown. The workshops 10 can be placed in various locations on a worksite, such as on various levels of the multi-storey structure as illustrated in figure 11 .

A number of sensors can be positioned within each workshop 10. The sensors can be those sensors as described above as forming part of the monitoring equipment 50. The sensors can include air quality sensors, such as air clarity sensors 252 to detect a level of particulate material within the workshop 10, presence detection sensors 254 to detect the presence of workers 256 within the workshop 10, pressure sensors 258 to sense a pressure of air within the workshop 10, temperature and humidity sensors 260 to sense the temperature and humidity within each workshop 10, and sound sensors 261 to detect sound levels within each workshop 10. The sensors can include other sensors, such as sensors to detect dangerous levels of gas, such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide, et cetera. The sensors can be loT sensors, as will be described in further detail below.

Each of the sensors can be operatively connected to a data processing module 262, of a data processing apparatus, that is configured to control operation of the sensors and to receive data from the sensors. The data processing module 262 can include, or be connected to, a server 264. The server 264 can be configured to process the data generated by the sensors. A data storage device 266 can be connected to, or form part of, the server 264 to store the data generated by the server 264 for further processing and analysis, including generation of reports and for personnel management. The server 264 and the data storage device 266 can be physical device(s) located at a provider’s premises or can be provided by a virtual server hosted by a cloud-based web service.

The data processing module 262, the server 264 and the data storage device 266 can be wirelessly connected together or can be connected over a wide area network, such as the Internet. The data processing module 262, the server 264 and the data storage device 266 can thus be located remotely with respect to the workshop 10, for example, via the Internet or some other wide area network. Furthermore, the data storage device 266 can be connected to a software platform 267 hosted by a cloud-based web service, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS).

In use, the operators or workers 256 can be provided with a suitable login mechanism, such as a handheld device, for example, a tablet or mobile phone that is programmed for allowing the workers to communicate with the data processing module 262, via the tablet or mobile phone, or, for example, the software platform 267. For example, the device may be programmed so that, when a worker 256 enters the mobile workshop 10, the worker can communicate his or her presence within the workshop 10 to the data processing module 262 or to software platform 267. Instead, the presence of the worker 256 in the workshop 10 can be detected via an application executed on the mobile device of the worker, which would include a GPS-based application capable of generating a data signal for receipt by the software platform 267 when the worker 256 enters the workshop 10. The device may also be programmed so that, when the worker 266 leaves the mobile workshop 10, a worker 266 can communicate this to the data processing module 262 or to the software platform 267. This can also be done automatically using the GPS-based application referred to above. The server 264 or the software platform 267 can be configured so that the extent of time spent by the worker 256 within the workshop 10 can be recorded. Thus, an extent of time spent by the worker 256 exposed to the atmosphere or environment within the workshop 10, having characteristics measured by the sensors described above, can be recorded over predetermined lengths of time. The server 264 or the software platform 267 can be programmed to generates reports relating to the extent of time spent by the workers 256 in various conditions or environmental variables described herein. The server 264 or the software platform 267 can also be programmed to generate a warning signal or communication in the event that a worker 256 exceeds a certain length of time exposed to a predetermined environment. In general, the server 264 or the software platform is programmed to associate person(s) with at least one of the environmental variables described herein. Thus, the system facilitates compliance with predetermined occupational health and safety parameters. Furthermore, the server 264 and/or the software platform 267 can be programmed such that the system 250 can facilitate compliance with occupational health and safety regulations. The module 262 and/or the server 264 or the software platform 267 can be programmed to monitor various engineering controls within the workshops 10 to ensure that they are running correctly. The software platform 267 can also be configured to obtain data relating to the usage of the various components within the workshops 10. Furthermore, the software platform 267 can be configured to generate reports relating to faults or exposure to hazardous environments. The software platform 267 can be configured to maintain a database of all the workers 256 that make use of the workshops 10. The software platform 267 can be configured to track the various activities related to the use of the components within the workshops 10.

It is to be appreciated that, when the platform 267 forms part of the occupational health and safety management system of the invention, the data processing module 262, the server 264 and the data storage device 266 serve temporary receipt and data storage functions and then forward the data generated by the various sensors described above to the software platform 267 for processing.

In figure 9, the dotted communication lines illustrate that the processing and storage of the data received from the sensors can be carried out by the server 264 and the data storage device 266 or can be carried out by the software platform 267, in which case, the server 264 and the data storage device 266 provide the temporary receipt and data storage functions. In another embodiment, the data signals from the sensors can be received by the module 264 and conveyed directly to the software platform 267 for processing and subsequent control of the various components of the workshop(s) 10. It will be appreciated that various configurations can be provided with or without the use of a cloud-based system, depending upon requirements.

The server 264 and/or the software platform 267 can be used to generate reports for official compliance purposes. These can relate to regulations involving the exposure to hazardous environments and time spent working on site. Furthermore, the server 264 and/or the software platform 267 can be used for performance reviews of the workers.

It will be appreciated that personnel management plans are an important aspect of project management. The fact that the activities within the various workshops 10 are monitored together with the environments within those workshops 10 allows personnel managers to prepare personnel management plans at the planning stages of projects, such as construction projects involving the potential for hazardous environments.

In figure 20, reference numeral 270 generally indicates a control arrangement for the mobile workshop 10. The arrangement 270 makes use of the data processing module 262 and the server 264, in the manner described above, that is, either as defining the software platform 267 described above or as receipt and temporary store and forward devices that receive data from the sensors and forward the data to the software platform 267 hosted by the cloud-based web service. The components shown in figure 20 are shown separately from those in figure 19, for the purposes of clarity only. As above, the dotted communication lines illustrate that the processing and storage of the data received from the sensors can be carried out by the server 264 and the data storage device 266 or can be carried out by the software platform 267, in which case, the server 264 and the data storage device 266 provide the temporary receipt and data storage functions.

The control arrangement 270 is operatively connected to one or more of the components of the workshop(s) 10 to receive data from the monitoring equipment 10 and to control operation of the component(s) in response to the data from the monitoring equipment 10. In various embodiments, said components include one or both of the air extraction apparatus 32 and the separation apparatus 34.

The control arrangement 270 includes a control panel assembly 272. The control panel assembly 272 includes a light array 274, which has coloured lights to generate suitable visual warning signals. For example, a green light can be used to show that all the components are operating correctly and, for example, that a minimal amount of personal protection equipment (PPE) is required for entering and using the workspace 26. An orange/yellow light can be used to show that a flow rate through a filter 276 of the workshop 10 or module 114 is at an appropriate level and, for example, that the PPE required needs to meet certain minimum requirements before entry into the workspace 26 is permitted. A red light can be used to show a fault and, for example, that entry into the workspace 26 is not permitted for activity that would normally be planned for the workspace, such as cutting/grinding. The control panel assembly 272 includes an audible alarm 278 that generates an alarm when there is a fault. In order for the light array 274 and the alarm 278 to operate appropriately, the control panel assembly 272 is operatively connected to the data processing module 262 to receive control signals from the data processing module 262. Alternatively, the control panel assembly 272 can be connected to the software platform 267. Thus, the data processing module 262 or the software platform 267 can be configured to generate control signals for the control panel assembly 272 upon receipt of predetermined signals from the sensors, or the various components within the workshop 10 or a treatment module 114. To that end, the server 264 or the software platform 267 can be programmed to provide the necessary control signals to the data processing module 262 for transmission to the control panel assembly 272.

The components in the workshop 10 can include a light array 280, the filter 276, an air conditioning unit 282, tools 284 and a water recycling pump 286 for recycling water used by the tools 284 for dust suppression. Each of these components can be operatively connected to the data processing module 262 with suitable control lines, or wirelessly, depending upon requirements. The filter 276, the air conditioning unit 282, the tools 284 and the pump 286 all include processors, such as the loT sensors described herein, that are configured to generate electronic signals relating to the manner and/or duration of their operation. The signals can include warning signals relating to faults and can also include other operating signals, for example, those relating to the duration of use of the various components. The data processing module 262 can be configured to transmit data relating to the operation of the various components to the server 264 or to the software platform 267 described above. The server 264 and/or the software platform 267 can be configured to process this data. The data can be stored by the software platform 267 for processing, for example for generating the reports referred to below. Furthermore, the data processing module 262 or the software platform 267 can be programmed to generate control signals, communicated via the data processing module 262 to the various components using, for example, loT protocols, whereby the components can be switched off if certain conditions are detected. For example, the detection of faulty operation of the water recycling pump 286 results in the module 262 switching off the pump 286 upon receipt of a control signal from the software platform 267 and generating a red light alarm with the light array 280. Similarly, detection of faulty operation of any of the other components can result in those components being shut down and the light array 280 generating a suitable visual alarm. Thus, generally, the data processing apparatus is capable of controlling one or more of the following components: the door assembly 30, one or more of the tools 46, the air extraction apparatus 32, the air conditioner 70, and an alarm system.

The mobile workshop 10 includes various power points that are connected to the power supply and controller 82 to provide power to the various components. The power points are configured so that their operation can be controlled upon receipt of control signals from the power supply and controller 82. The data processing module 262 can be connected, for example wirelessly, to the power supply and controller 82. Thus, upon receipt of a signal from the pressure sensor 258 indicating that negative pressure has been lost, the data processing module 262 is operable to communicate suitable signals to the software platform 267, which is programmed to cut power to the power points via the power supply and controller 82 with the module 262 providing the necessary interface between the power supply and controller 82 and the software platform 267. Other signals resulting in cutting power to the power points can be signals indicating that a required flow rate through the filter 276 is not being achieved or any other problems associated with the components.

The data processing module 262 can take various forms. For example, the data processing module 262 can include industrial controllers such as those supplied by Eaton (trade mark). Such controllers include the programmable logic controllers marketed by Eaton (trade mark) as “easyE4 nano programmable logic controllers”.

It will be appreciated that a significant amount of data can be generated on site relating to various operating variables. The occupational health and safety system of the invention makes use of loT technology to manage this data and to generate suitable reports.

In figure 21 there is shown an loT sensing arrangement 300. The arrangement 300 can include industrial loT sensors, such as those supplied by Eaton, which can be located onsite, for example, in the various workshops 10. As set out above, these generate data relating to the environment and other industrial variables within each of the workshops 10. For example, loT sensor(s) 302 are integrated into each of the workshops 10 to sense environmental variables and to transmit them to the data processing module 262 or server 264 or to any other data processing arrangement, which can be a cloud-based data processing arrangement or server(s) that are programmed to provide the software platform 267.

The software platform 267 can incorporate loT sensor interfaces 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314 and/or interfaces for the sensors 252, 254, 258, 260, 261 described above to sense environmental variables, as discussed above with reference to figure 19 in each workshop 10.

Generally, the occupational health and safety system of the invention includes one or more software products or the software platform 267, configured for receiving data from the sensors referred to above and to present or generate reports in a legible manner, relating to the data. In figure 22, reference numeral 314 generally indicates functional components of a software product, that can be stored on a mobile device or personal computer of a worker or some other person using the system and method of the invention. In this example, the software platform 267 is programmed to provide access to graphic user interfaces (GUI’s) or forms, indicated at 315. The software platform 267 is capable of generating and/or storing information relating to security 316, capable of being monitored via the various sensors referred to above, biometrics 317, which would be obtained from the workers via, for example, the mobile device, such as a smart phone, and other devices capable of recording biometric information, such as facial features, fingerprints, et cetera. The software platform 267 is also capable of generating and/or storing information relating to location 318 of a person, storage 320 of data, communication protocols 321 and equipment store data 322. This can be achieved using the GPS-based application referred to above.

In figure 23, reference numeral 330 generally indicates a communications gateway that is configured to facilitate communication between the various sensors referred to above and a remote data processing apparatus, which can include the data processing module 262 and/or server 264 and/or software platform 267 described above. The communications gateway 330 is also configured to facilitate communication between the mobile device described above and the software platform 267 described above.

The communications gateway 330 includes a domain naming service (DNS) 332 that is configured to facilitate communication between the interfaces 304 - 312 in figure 21 and the software platform described above. More generally, the gateway 330 is configured to provide a domain through which users, the sensors referred to above, and other third-party services can access the software platform. It will be appreciated that the data processing module 262 and/or the server 264 can be configured to collect data from the various sensors described above and to pass that data to the software platform 267, via the gateway 330. The gateway 330 includes an Internet gateway 334 which provides security and access control to the gateway 332. The gateway 330 also includes a load balancing component 336.

The gateway 330 incorporates an application programming interface (API) gateway 338 that facilitates interactive communication with various industrial sensor interfaces, generally indicated at 340 and other sensor interfaces, generally indicated at 342. These can be interfaces for the sensors referred to above. The API gateway 338 also includes a sensor data synchronisation service 344 and an API 346 that is specific to a provider of the system, in accordance with the invention.

Also shown in figure 23 is a software application service 348. The software application service 348 is configured to host webpages and data such that they are accessible by a user of the system.

The software platform 267, which can include the software application service 348, is configured so that the webpages referred to above can include an administration portal 350 (figure 30). The administration portal 350 is configured to provide access to dashboards 352, reports 354 and to facilitate the administration of content at 356.

The software platform 267 is configured to generate or to host a customer relationship management (CRM) product 358. Such a CRM can be in the form of a Lighthouse (trade mark) CRM. The CRM 358 can receive data via the communications gateway 330 and other information that can be input via GUIs to provide informational and interactive components relating to communication 360, client administration 362, billing 364, support 366, remote management 368 and a booking system 370.

The CRM product 358 is also configured to generate dashboards 372, reports 374 and content administration 376.

The webpages referred to above can also include a public website 378 of the provider of the system of the invention.

In figure 25, reference numeral 380 generally indicates various applications that can be generated by the software platform 267. These can include a data aggregation service 382, a user management service 384, billing and payments service 386, a content management system 388, communications services 390, batch jobs 392, a data Al service 394, a video Al service 396 and a booking system/scheduling service 398.

As set out above, the software platform 267 of the system of the invention is configured to generate various reports. These reports are capable of associating one or more of the variables, such as the environmental variable with various parameters including a location of a workshop 10, time and date data, tool identification data and personnel identification data.

In figure 26, reference numeral 400 generally indicates a GUI that can be generated by the system for use by a user of the system. The GUI 400 is configured to provide interactive data relating to team logs 402. These are data generated by the various workers referred to above as they use the workshops 10. The GUI includes a search function 404, a menu function 406, an activity selection function 408, a user selection function 410. The GUI includes a side menu 412 that provides links to various parameters and variables of the system, including sites, people (workers, for example), equipment, activities, marketplace details, reports (activities, team logs, control usage, participation, billing reports) and utilities.

The GUI 400 provides links to a dashboard 414, reports 416 and logs 418. The GUI 400 includes a filter function 420. In this example, the filter function 420 allows the selection of a date range 422.

The software platform 267 is configured so that, upon execution, it can generate various results 424. In this case, these can include a table with dates in a date column 426, persons (such as workers) in a person column 428, module details (such as the workshop 10 or the module 114) in a module column 430, personal identification details in an ID column 432, action details relating to an activity carried out by an associated person in an action column 434, entry details relating to entries made by the associated person in an entry column 436, and log level details relating to a categorisation of the entry, such as “info” made by an associated person in a log level column 438.

Thus, the GUI 400 is configured to provide details of various log entries made by persons using the system of the invention.

In figure 27, reference numeral 440 generally indicates a GUI that can be generated by a system, in accordance with the invention, for use by a user. The GUI 440 is configured to provide interactive data relating to activities 441 carried out by various persons. The GUI 440 includes a site filter 442 that allows a user to select a site, at which one or more of the workshops 10 can be located, to obtain activity details from that site.

The GUI 440 is also configured to generate the table. In this case, the table includes site details in a site column 444, zone details relating to zones within the respective sites, in a zone column 446, activity details relating to the various activities in the respective sites and zones, in an activity column 448, details relating to a duration of the activity in a time column 450, and details relating to a number of assessments made in a number of assessments column 452.

In figure 28, reference numeral 460 generally indicates a GUI that can be generated by a system, in accordance with the invention, for use by a user. The GUI 460 is configured to provide interactive data relating to the control of usage 461 of various items of equipment, such as those referred to above. As set out above, the various items of equipment are associated with sensors. Thus, the data generated by those sensors can be aggregated and collated by the software platform 267 of the system to generate the GUI 460. The GUI 460 is also configured to generate the table. In this case, the table includes details of the type of equipment used, in a type column 462, and serial number details of the respective items of equipment in a serial column 464.

In figure 29, reference numeral 470 generally indicates a GUI that can be generated by a system, in accordance with the invention, for use by a user. The GUI 470 is configured to provide interactive data relating to various sites that include the workshops 10.

The side menu 412 includes a site history selection function 472 that provides access to details of historical data that is generated at a particular site(s).

The GUI 470 has a result number selection function 424 that allows a user to select a number of results. The GUI 470 is configured to generate a table that has details of site names in a name column 474, addresses of the various sites in an address column 476, city details in a city column 478, and state details in a state column 480.

It will readily be appreciated that any number of GUIs can be generated depending upon the form of report required.

The occupational health and safety management system and method as described herein provides a means whereby the management of personnel, particularly insofar as occupational health and safety is concerned, can be facilitated and significantly automated. For example, the system can be configured so that various health and safety regulations can be met without individual oversight of the various workers.

The appended claims are to be considered as incorporated into the above description.

Throughout this specification, the following definitions apply to the words and phrases listed below:

“Server” - one or more data processing devices networked together or cloud-based services capable of performing server functions.

“Workshop” - Any structure capable of at least partially housing person(s) while those person(s) perform work within the structure.

“Mobile” - Configured to be transported, such as wheeled structures or structures incorporating lifting components allowing the structures to be lifted and conveyed.

“loT” - Internet of Things.

“Proximal” - An orientation that is closest to a user. For example, with respect to the mobile workshop, “proximal” would refer to an orientation closest to an access opening of the mobile workshop.

“Distal” - An orientation opposite to that of “proximal”.

Throughout the specification, the use of common reference numerals is only for the purposes of convenience and is not intended to be interpreted as indicating that respective components with common reference numerals are identical. Furthermore, the various components described herein can, where reasonable and feasible, be interchanged to define or provide other embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

Throughout this specification, reference to any advantages, promises, objects or the like should not be regarded as cumulative, composite and/or collective and should be regarded as preferable or desirable rather than stated as a warranty.

Throughout this specification, unless otherwise indicated, “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising,” (and variants thereof) or related terms such as “includes” (and variants thereof),” are used inclusively rather than exclusively, so that a stated integer or group of integers may include one or more other non-stated integers or groups of integers.

Words indicating direction or orientation, such as “front”, “rear”, “back”, etc, are used for convenience. The inventor(s) envisages that various embodiments can be used in a nonoperative configuration, such as when presented for sale. Thus, such words are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

The term “and/or”, e.g., “A and/or B” shall be understood to mean either “A and B” or “A or B” and shall be taken to provide explicit support for both meanings or for either meaning.

It is to be understood that the terminology employed above is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The described embodiments are intended to be illustrative of the invention, without limiting the scope thereof. The invention is capable of being practised with various modifications and additions as will readily occur to those skilled in the art.