New generation devices needed in automation industry: experts

Unsafe conditions in industry are not on account of automation of systems but due to lack of implementation of safety standards, an expert said today.
"Many a times well established safety standards are not followed while designing and implementing the automation systems, sometimes due to ignorance, to save on money or due to overconfidence. It is common to find an educated person riding a motorcycle without wearing a helmet. The same attitude applies here," said C S Limaye, the director of Supertech Instrumentation Services (India) Pvt Ltd, a leading company providing automation solutions in process industries.
He was addressing representatives from industries in and around Thane and students at a day-long national conference on Process Safety Management here today.

Human intervention is necessary when the situation goes beyond the capacity of an automation system. The operator must be adequately qualified and trained to handle such situations, Limaye said.
"Automation systems do not create unsafe conditions. Unsafe conditions are created due to abnormalities of the process, situation going beyond the design capacity of the automation system and absence of an operator adequately trained to handle such situation," he pointed out.
MSBTE former director A S Andhare said old practices of 80s in safety will not hold good now and the time has come for a drastic change in the approach, keeping in mind the present changes being adopted by younger generations.

Social networking media and applications like FB should be extensively made use of in the safety procedures and education and even in implementation, he suggested.
Another industry expert R N Mohanty called to "capitalise on the new generation of devices and instruments to enhance safety."
The syllabus of safety procedures being taught at various levels and institutions is now outdated and need drastic change keeping in mind the latest in the industry and world. Digital technology should be extensively used towards meeting this goal, he stressed.