Reality Capture Technology – Unveiling New Possibilities in HSE Management

Introduction

The Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) sector in Nigeria is experiencing a consistent transformation. Nowadays, virtually every organization talks about HSE and many are striving to standardize their HSE management system. Although only a few have fully established an HSE management system. For every organization or HSE practitioner looking to enhance their HSE management, there is good news. The good news is the adoption of Reality Capture technology in HSE management.

Reality Capture Technology

Reality Capture is a process used to create a digital 3D model of an object, building, or site. This is done by scanning the object with either a lidar or a photogrammetric scanner. Lidar works by emitting laser light onto the target object and using sensors to measure the reflection, while photogrammetry uses photos of the real site to create a visual 3D model of the object. Both methods produce similar outputs – a real photo model and a point cloud model. A point cloud is a group of points that provides geometrical information about the object, making it possible to obtain geometric measurements from the model. On the other hand, the photo component of the model provides a photographic impression that allows you to view the object without having to go back to the site. In this discussion, we will focus on the 3D laser scanner, also known as Lidar. There are various models of 3D laser scanners with different capabilities in terms of size, range, and speed of measurement. They can capture even the smallest details of any object within the scanner’s range. In simpler terms, the 3D laser scanner captures data that is processed to give a digital replica of the object.

General Application of Reality Capture

Keep this statement in mind – the 3D laser scanner captures data that is processed to give a digital replica of the object.

A 3D laser scanner is a powerful tool that can revolutionize the way we capture and analyze physical objects. The scanner’s versatility lies in its ability to rotate 360 degrees and capture every object within its view if there are no obstructions in the line of sight. This makes it ideal for capturing complex objects with intricate details that are difficult to capture using traditional methods.

Two examples of 3D laser scanners are Leica P50 and Leica RTC 360. These scanners have impressive ranges of 1 km and 120m respectively. This means they can capture objects that are far away without losing detail or accuracy. Additionally, both scanners capture data at an astonishing rate of 2 million points per second. This data density ensures that every little detail on the object is captured, making it perfect for research, analysis, and manufacturing.

The 3D laser scanner is a game-changer for many industries, including architecture, engineering, and design. With this technology, professionals can capture and analyze objects with greater accuracy, speed, and detail than ever before.

Relevance of Reality Capture to HSE Management

HSE professionals often rely on engineers for information regarding site assessment and risk analysis. However, this approach limits the HSE professional’s knowledge to the information provided by the engineer. Unfortunately, the engineer may not be able to foresee how the proposed activities will interact with the existing situation until the project is underway. At that point, stakeholders are left to manage issues as they arise, which can be costly.

To address this issue, HSE professionals can use point cloud technology to gain a clearer understanding of the site. Looking at the images about, is there any of them that did not show the site very well. The above images are point clouds. Point clouds allow HSE professionals to virtually walk through the site, identify safety risks, revisit areas of interest at any time, analyze each stage of the project, and prepare well before commencing work on site. Additionally, this technology minimizes work-at-height activities, eliminates the need for scaffolds or ladders for measurement and inspection at height, and allows for a better understanding of confined spaces without entering them. With point cloud technology, HSE professionals can also test ideas by simulation before implementing them, thereby, reducing incidents to the barest minimum. When an incident occurs, HSE practitioners will analyze the incident with technical facts. This provides a better opportunity to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Virtual Reality (VR) Adaptation

The workflow shown above provides an exciting and engaging way for HSE professionals to gain a better understanding of a site through virtual immersion using virtual reality headgear. It’s like watching a movie with VR headgear, but with the added benefit of being fully immersed in the virtual environment.   

What Should HSE Professionals Do?

“Knowledge is power.” It’s time for HSE practitioners to stop relying solely on the knowledge of site engineers. Instead of just asking engineers for Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS), it should be a team effort. HSE professionals have the necessary knowledge to identify safety risks better and should be involved in the process. The new request should be for Site Point Cloud (SPC). With SPC, all stakeholders can take a virtual tour of the site. This way, every issue can be seen and addressed in a timely manner, instead of relying on a “fire brigade” approach.

Next Steps

There are different adoption options available for HSE professionals in Nigeria.

• Option 1 – Buy 3D laser scanner. You can advise your organization to procure a 3D laser scanner. The benefit is that it will be useful in other technical areas. To gain insight into other areas of application of Reality Capture, check out the appropriate blog on buildsafeng.com/blog.  
• Option 2 – Request for Reality Capture services from companies such as Buildsafe Nigeria Ltd (info@buildsafeng.com). Buildsafe offers a FREE demo to help management decisions.
• Option 3 – Seek further guidance from Buildsafe Ltd by sending an email to info@buildsafeng.com and all your issues will be addressed.

In all, avoid the biggest mistake of investing in the wrong equipment. Buildsafe is your best guide.