Pugent Sound Energy Wins Green Cross Safety Innovation Award

Puget Sound Energy

Remote monitoring with infrared camera technology has many benefits. The recent miniaturization of these cameras with the addition of software that not only detects anomalies but sends email alerts, has greatly increased their importance in the wind generation space.

Puget Sound Energy deployed SYTIS TC-90™ cameras in their wind turbine nacelles to enable them to get eyes inside the electrical enclosures and diagnose issues from a safe distance. This allowed PSE to both reduce the risks associated with electrical cabinet exposures and to keep potentially dangerous tower climbs to a minimum. Seeing heat issues before sending in technicians not only speeds up the process of dealing with the issues but, since this technology detects electrical problems in nascent stages, they help avoid catastrophic problems such as fires and arc blasts.

After their success in the nacelles, they deployed these cameras in the field to diagnose the root cause of converter failures where they quickly found success. PSE’s belief is that these new systems will help move the industry away from calendar-based maintenance to long term condition-based maintenance and help keep technicians and thermographers out of direct contact with live electrical panels.

Meet the Other Safety Innovation Award Finalists

Sober Guardian

Sober Guardian, created by independent researcher Aaron Li, tackles one of the most pressing road safety issues today: driving under the influence. Despite legal deterrents, DUI remains responsible for nearly a third of traffic fatalities in the United States, claiming 10,000 lives and costing $194 billion annually. Traditional enforcement methods are reactive, detecting impairment only after drivers are already on the road.

By using AI-driven facial recognition, machine learning and IoT integration to detect impairment before a car starts, Sober Guardian can stop accidents before they happen. Drivers take a quick real-time sobriety scan through a mobile app and a sensor. If signs of intoxication are detected, the system communicates with an IoT vehicle control module that prevents the engine from starting. Emergency contacts are alerted, and alternate transportation options are suggested, ensuring safety before any dangerous decision is made.

Rather than responding to danger, Sober Guardian’s proactive approach prevents it. The system is designed for broad compatibility across vehicle types, is highly accurate, and is simple enough for everyday use by families, rental fleets and rideshare services.

Sober Guardian isn't just another tool, it’s a smarter safeguard that keeps roads safer and lives intact.

State Labor Inspectorate Service of Azerbaijan

The State Labor Inspectorate Service of Azerbaijan safety initiative was designed to address multiple critical challenges in labor protection, occupational safety and compliance with labor laws in Azerbaijan. One of the primary concerns was the high rate of workplace accidents and occupational hazards, particularly in industries with physically demanding tasks. Employers lacked sufficient tools for risk assessment, safety monitoring and compliance tracking, leading to unsafe working conditions and preventable workplace injuries. Another key issue was the lack of a centralized, digitalized system to oversee labor law enforcement and ensure occupational safety standards were met.

The safety program was developed as part of Azerbaijan’s broader efforts to modernize labor protections, enhance occupational safety and create a more transparent and accountable labor market. 

The program successfully reduced workplace accidents, improved labor law compliance and streamlined employment processes. Reported workplace injuries declined by 27% over two years due to stricter enforcement of safety regulations, employer awareness initiatives and improved risk available. assessment tools. Companies that participated in safety training and certification programs experienced a 35% decrease in workplace accidents, indicating a direct correlation between training and risk reduction.