5-2. Practical Use of IoT Sensors for Real-Time Environmental Monitoring

The spread of IoT sensors has made it possible to monitor workplace environments in real-time, such as in factories and offices. While traditional environmental measurement relied on periodic sampling and manual data collection, IoT technology now enables continuous monitoring and rapid detection of anomalies. This article explains the mechanism of IoT-based environmental monitoring, its practical applications, and key considerations for implementation.

1. How IoT Sensors Work for Environmental Monitoring

IoT sensors measure various environmental parameters—such as temperature, humidity, CO2 concentration, noise, dust, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—in real-time. The collected data is transmitted to the cloud, where it can be analyzed by AI and other analytical tools to detect anomalies and identify trends. This allows for an immediate understanding of environmental changes, which is beneficial for occupational health, safety, and environmental management.

2. Practical Applications

IoT sensors are widely used in the EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety) field. For instance, real-time monitoring of dust and harmful gas concentrations can minimize worker exposure risk. Continuous management of temperature and humidity helps reduce the risk of heatstroke and mold growth. By creating data-driven dashboards, companies can enable company-wide risk management, including for senior leadership.

3. Key Points for Implementation

When implementing IoT sensors, it is crucial to ensure measurement accuracy and the appropriateness of installation locations. Neglecting sensor calibration can lead to incorrect judgments. It is also essential to ensure a stable network environment and data security. Furthermore, companies must establish an analytical framework to utilize the collected data and an operational system that can respond immediately to alerts.

4. Future Outlook

Beyond being a simple monitoring tool, IoT sensors can be combined with AI for predictive management. This could lead to anticipating future accident risks based on workplace data or optimizing energy consumption.

Conclusion

Real-time environmental monitoring using IoT sensors significantly enhances occupational safety and health and strengthens compliance with environmental regulations. Leveraging data for quick decision-making and risk reduction will become an increasingly indispensable element of a company's EHS strategy.