RCT, powered by Epiroc, continues to strengthen workplace safety through the implementation of its Pedestrian Alert System (PAS) at a northwest Queensland mining and smelting complex, delivering a practical solution for improving awareness around personnel working near heavy equipment.
The system is designed to improve operator awareness by detecting people within the camera field of view and providing clear, real-time alerts that help operators identify and respond to people sooner when working in close proximity to mobile machinery.
At this particular site, PAS has been deployed across a broad range of equipment, including forklifts, skid steer loaders, cranes and backhoes, reflecting the customer’s ongoing commitment to improving visibility and reducing risk when operating around personnel.
PAS uses advanced camera intelligence to identify human-like forms without requiring individuals to wear any additional devices.
The system’s configurable detection zones allow it to be tailored to a wide variety of applications, with escalating visual and audible alerts triggered depending on how close a person comes to the machine.
A site representative explained that the primary motivation for installing PAS was to better manage interactions between people and mobile equipment.
“The main reason for installing the PAS is to manage interactions between people and mobile equipment,” the representative said.
“The system alerts operators when someone enters a three metre exclusion zone, as required by our site procedures.”
This capability has provided an added layer of protection in an environment where personnel and machinery regularly operate in close quarters.
The representative also praised the level of support provided by the RCT Mount Isa team throughout the rollout, describing the customer service as excellent and noting that there was nothing to fault in either the team’s responsiveness or the overall support received during implementation.
As part of the deployment, the system was adapted to suit the specific operating conditions found on site.
On selected machines, external audio and visual alarms were installed to ensure that alerts remained effective even in high noise environments, where standard alerts might otherwise be difficult to notice.
The representative noted that the system has continued to evolve as the site has learned more about what works best for its particular conditions, highlighting the flexible and collaborative nature of the rollout.
This willingness to fine-tune the technology based on real-world feedback has been a key factor in the system’s success at the complex, ensuring that alerts are not only accurate but also practical for operators working in demanding industrial conditions.
Designed specifically for use in tough operating environments, PAS has demonstrated strong reliability even under challenging conditions, reinforcing its suitability for large-scale mining and smelting operations where safety around mobile equipment is a constant priority.
By delivering clear, real-time alerts and improving overall operator awareness, PAS continues to support safer interactions between personnel and equipment across a wide range of applications.
As sites across the resources sector place greater emphasis on proximity detection and pedestrian safety, implementations such as this one highlight how proven technology, combined with strong on-ground support, can make a meaningful difference to everyday site safety outcomes.
