Evolving Safety Protocols: Deep Learning-Enabled Detection of Personal Protective Equipment

To give shift in safety protocols, we have employed advanced deep learning algorithms and frameworks (Shrestha and Mahmood in IEEE Access 7:53,040–53,065, 2019 [25]) to construct an innovative AI model. The designed model detects the usage of personal protective equipment (PPE) (Personal protective equipment. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2020 [18]) by workers in high-risk industries such as construction and manufacturing. We have used Google’s TensorFlow object detection API (Sai and Sasikala in Object detection and count of objects in image using tensor flow object detection API, pp 542–546, 2019 [22]) to modify and train a model for dual purposes: PPE detection and face recognition. The state-of-the-art of this research is to substantially enhance safety compliance by addressing the prevalent issue of PPE non-compliance. To emphasis this, we have developed a pioneering software prototype that synergizes PPE detection with a face recognition-based clock-in system. This prototype demonstrates impressive object detection metrics with a mean average precision (mAP) of 0.9 for vests and 0.85 for helmets. Moreover, it exhibited efficient face recognition with a successful threshold range of 17–20%. The implementation of AI in our system promises significant enhancements to worker safety, while concurrently reducing the financial burden associated with big hazards and accidents. Beyond the development and performance of the system, this paper provides a thorough exploration of the encountered challenges, potential real-world applications (particularly in employee monitoring and clock-in systems), and the future implications of this study on research and practical applications in the field of AI-integrated safety compliance.