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Ecom Mobile Safety
Enhancing RFID to improve safety and productivity in
potentially hazardous areas
2014, Jan. 26 + + + How the
recent introduction of the innovative UNI900 UHF RFID reader/writer for
ecom’s i.roc® Ci70 -Ex handheld computer (PDA) enables new levels of
safety and productivity in potentially hazardous locations.
 As
organizations look for new ways to improve operational efficiency and
workforce productivity without compromising on safety, the use of RFID
technology within the workplace is becoming more prevalent to quickly and
accurately identify equipment, tools, parts/spares, locations, and even
people.
Also, UHF RFID technology advancements over the past few
years to improve performance in/on metal, improve ruggedness, reduce the
tag size, and increase on-board memory size has brought this technology
firmly in the frame for hazardous area projects. In fact, many see this
technology as the future automated identification standard within
hazardous areas since it offers more flexibility for the lifetime tracking
of equipment both within a site and across supply chains.
However,
in hazardous areas, some users still struggle with PDA devices which are
large and poorly balanced, with protruding “bolt-on” UHF RFID readers and
antennae which are difficult to use, awkward to carry, and can easily be
snagged on plant equipment and infrastructure such as ladders –
potentially creating a safety incident.
And, over the lifetime of
an RFID-tagged item of equipment, the tag needs to be read from close
range when the equipment is inspected and from long range when the
equipment is moved. Until now, the use of UHF RFID tags on adjacent
equipment has carried the risk that the wrong equipment was scanned, and
the inspection details were recorded against the wrong item of equipment.
Reading smaller RFID tags which are embedded in metal or mounted on metal
has also been a challenge.
With the recent introduction of the
intrinsically-safe UNI900 UHF RFID reader/writer for ecom’s i.roc® Ci70
-Ex, these concerns can now be relegated to the past. Based on ecom’s 12
years of experience delivering replaceable RFID heads, the UNI900 has
designed-in protection to operate safely in hazardous areas. And, the
unique flexibility of the UNI900 to read UHF RFID tags from both close
range and long range means you can use it without restriction for any
application. Improved antenna performance also allows reading of small
RFID tags embedded-in and mounted-on metal.
Connected to the i.roc®
Ci70 -Ex, PDA as an integrated head module, the UNI900 head retains the
same streamlined and well-balanced features of the i.roc® Ci70 -Ex,
avoiding the use of any protruding “bolt-on” modules. Setup of new devices
is also fast and simple using the automated ‘Scan N Go’ capability.
For existing Ci70 -Ex users, the UNI900 head can be easily retrofitted
onto your existing devices – giving you the future proofing you expected
when you purchased your device. There is no need to buy a new Ci70 -Ex
PDA, saving you time and money.
Typical applications for this
device include plant audits/surveys, equipment/tool management, field
inventory management, supply chain logistics, operator rounds,
inspection/maintenance/repair, emergency mustering, and plant security
checks.
And, the benefits include: reduced user fatigue and
improved user experience; improved real-time visibility and control of
containers, equipment and tools; improved accuracy of the item’s
cradle-to-grave history; reduced safety non-compliance risk; improved
decision making and accountability; and higher profitability.
ecom
instruments GmbH
Source: Christian Uhl - Vice President Marketing
http://www.ecom-ex.com
See also:
Avoiding inefficient and unsafe working practices in potentially
hazardous areas
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