POSCO E&C plans to apply the SSB to 31 asphyxiation-prone confined construction spaces.

By preventing enclosed space incidents and through continuous upgrades, we hope to broaden application of the SSB.

With the goal to eliminate forklift collisions, POSCO Group has developed ‘Forklift ABS' that combines AI-based image recognition with automatic brake control technology.

Through deep learning and AI, the image recognizes humans from inanimate objects with accurate precision. Then, by using the wide-angle lens to convert the captured image into coordinates, the machine-human distance is measured.

When a worker comes within 6 meters of the forklift, a range considered collision-prone, an alarm is triggered (step 1). Once a worker is within 4-meter range, the forklift decelerates (step 2), and automatically brakes to a full stop (step 3) when the distance narrows to 2 meters. Hence, the forklift brakes devoid of the driver’s manual engagement.

POSCO E&C has taken this technology one step further. By applying intelligent CCTV to construction equipment, e.g., excavators, forklifts, we have developed an `Equipment Collision Prevention System' to actively prevent machine-human collisions.

POSCO E&C is the first Korean construction company to use underwater drones in lieu of divers for offshore construction projects. The use of submersible drones in deep sea work helps to inspect construction quality, prevent safety accidents where currents are particularly strong and to survey seabed conditions and marine plant habitat.

The drone can travel underwater for up to four hours at a speed of 2 knots (about 3.7 km/h), transmitting real-time video for the most current and accurate deep sea information.

POSCO E&C recently piloted the submersible drone at the Yeosu Hwatae-Baekya construction site to validate quality performance, paving the way to expanded application of deep sea drones.

The Smart Airbag has been jointly developed by POSCO E&C and Safeware, an industrial goods manufacturer. Specially designed for construction sites, the wearable helps to mitigate injury in fall from height incidents, which account for 60% of fatal construction site accidents.

Having the appearance of an ordinary work vest, the Airbag is equipped with sensors that detect movement and speed. When it detects a fall, the vest inflates in 0.2 seconds to create a protective layer, helping to reduce the impact of the fall by 55%. Therefore, the Smart Airbag helps to prevent injury in fall from height incidents.

The device is designed to detect by real-time the presence and level of harmful gases in enclosed spaces or in areas deemed prone to gas leakage. In the event of a leak, the presence of harmful gases is signaled by immediate warning lights, notifying authorities to address the risk.

A hoisting safety system has been installed on site to prevent hoist equipment (used to lift heavy objects by using ropes) accidents and to better manage construction sites. Causes of hoist failure are diverse, ranging from simple human error to door opening during hoist operation. With the safety system, operational malfunction can be detected remotely, should an error occur, immediate action can be taken by audio communication.

POSCO E&C’s mobile smart surveillance video is a wireless device that is easily installed almost anywhere. By connecting the video to the smart phone, the construction site can be monitored by real-time, putting eyes and ears throughout the work areas.