Enhancing safety through AI-powered monitoring
Biffa implemented an AI-powered monitoring system at one of its depot to address safety concerns, promote behavioural changes, and educate the staff on maintaining high health and safety standards.
This innovative project combined cutting-edge technology with our commitment to safety excellence. By using CCTV cameras and AI-driven monitoring, we enhanced safety compliance and ensured adherence to established safety protocols.
The challenge
Biffa carries out waste collection for Tandridge District Council and has a depot based in the area, which it shares with other services. The depot experienced occasional health and safety concerns due to some inconsistencies in safety practices.
Key hazards for Biffa staff at the site included:
The Solution
To address the health and safety challenges at the depot, Biffa implemented an AI-powered monitoring system. This system uses 16 CCTV cameras strategically placed around the site to monitor safety compliance.
The AI is programmed to detect various safety violations and send prioritised alerts based on the severity of the incident – such as pedestrians not using designated walkways, vehicles driving the wrong way, and individuals not wearing PPE. High-risk alerts trigger real-time notifications to the team, allowing immediate action.
As the depot is shared with staff from Tandridge District Council, Biffa also took proactive measures to improve safety by clearly marking pedestrian walkways across part of the site and encouraging the use of PPE for both Biffa’s and the Council's employees.
AI implementation
The AI system underwent a machine learning phase to adapt to the site-specific conditions. This phase involved teaching the system how to accurately identify safety violations and reduce false positives, achieving a fantastic alert accuracy rate of 90% within three weeks of implementation.
During this period, the safety team reviewed alerts daily, validating each one to further enhance the system's precision. This rigorous process allowed for the prompt assignment and resolution of safety tasks, ensuring effective management of safety issues on site.
Results
To support the project, Tandridge District Council relocated its street parking to reduce walkway violations. Monthly meetings are held to review safety issues and alerts generated by the AI system.
This collaboration ensured safety concerns across the site are proactively reviewed.
The AI system's real-time monitoring and alert capabilities led to significant improvements in overall behaviour, with individuals becoming more compliant with safety regulations. In just three months, the total volume of alerts dropped by an impressive 65%, with high-risk alerts decreasing from an average of 35 per week to almost none. This reduction in critical safety violations demonstrated the effectiveness of the AI system in enhancing site safety.
Future directions
Biffa is dedicated to enhancing safety standards through cutting-edge, innovative solutions. Our AI-powered monitoring project is set to expand across new sites, with trials focused on improving safety compliance and refining system performance. By building on gained insights, we can rapidly adapt the technology to meet the unique needs of each site.
The use of machine learning and established use cases will further improve the system’s accuracy and reliability. The success of these trials will provide valuable data, demonstrating the potential for broader deployment and offering local authorities an advanced tool to elevate safety and operational efficiency across their sites.
Conclusion
Through the use of AI technology, Biffa has made a substantial impact on improving health and safety standards at the depot. The remarkable reduction in safety violations in such a short period highlights the effectiveness of our advanced monitoring system. We’ve not only enhanced on-site safety but also fostered a positive safety culture across the board.
We’re committed to using technology to keep improving safety standards. Our AI-powered monitoring system offers a scalable, reliable, and efficient way to manage safety for local authorities looking to enhance their safety protocols. With real-time monitoring and quick response to issues, local authorities can create safer workplaces for both their employees and the public.
