New software will enable mining workers to digitally log their journeys to and from any geographic location, improving the communication and tracking of employees in the industry.
The Resources COVID Safe Commute Plan is the brainchild of Queensland remote worker management software company JESI, created alongside METS Ignited and Microsoft Australia.
With the mining industry made up of a high percentage of fly-in fly-out (FIFO), drive-in drive-out (DIDO), or employees who work and move in remote or isolated locations, workers are constantly on the move.
It can be challenging to monitor and communicate with these workers, posing risks to safety and wellbeing as well as operational continuity for the resources sector.
With new integrations to come, JESI will be able to incorporate data from travel itineraries and in-vehicle monitoring systems while users will be able to use Microsoft Teams when interacting with the software.
The Resources COVID Safe Commute Plan can also be used by mining companies as required, to provide real time data of any potential ‘at risk’ travellers, enabling the quick identification of COVID-19 exposure sites and impacted workers.
Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the software has arrived at a critical time.
“As the pandemic continues, technology like this will play an increasingly important role in monitoring and managing outbreaks to minimise disruption to people’s lives and to resources operations,” he said.
METS Ignited chief executive officer Adrian Beer echoed Macfarlane’s sentiments, applauding the new innovation.
“Queensland mining equipment, technology and services (METS) companies are at the forefront of working with the resource sector across Australia and the globe,” Beer said.
“Through this JESI initiative, we can use this technology to protect the industry’s workforce and its performance from COVID-19”.