Customer Case · Connected Worker & Offshore Safety

Enhancing Workforce Management & Safety with Smart Badges at Petrobras

A global oil & gas leader ran a groundbreaking proof of concept with SmartX HUB — equipping offshore and refinery workers with smart badges for real-time geolocation, safety alerts and NR compliance.

Brazil · founded 1953 130+ platforms, 16 refineries Smart-badge POC
Introduction

The customer: Petrobras

Petrobras (Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.), a Brazilian multinational founded in 1953, is one of the largest oil companies in the world — employing over 50,000 people, operating in 18 countries, and running more than 130 production platforms and 16 refineries. It's a recognized leader in deep-water and ultra-deep-water offshore technology.

Facing the challenge of managing a large workforce and many contractors during refinery construction and offshore activities, Petrobras' innovation department led a groundbreaking proof of concept with SmartX Technology to revolutionize workforce monitoring and safety.

The Challenge

Thousands of workers, harsh remote sites

Managing thousands of workers across vast, remote locations — particularly the harsh environments of offshore operations — poses significant difficulties. Ensuring every worker follows safety protocols, takes appropriate breaks and stays productive requires meticulous monitoring. On top of that, Petrobras needed to track and manage access to restricted areas, validate certifications and training, and respond swiftly to emergencies.

Vast, remote sites

Thousands of workers across harsh offshore and remote locations.

Protocol adherence

Every worker must follow safety protocols and take proper breaks.

Restricted-area access

Access to hazardous zones had to be tracked and controlled.

Certifications & emergencies

Validate training and respond swiftly when emergencies strike.

The Solution

Smart badges + a centralized safety platform

Petrobras' innovation department worked with SmartX Technology to build a combined software-and-hardware solution. At its core, the SmartX HUB platform integrates with advanced smart badges to deliver real-time geolocation and safety monitoring — while enforcing Brazil's stringent NR safety regulations for the petroleum industry.

Smart Badges

GPS, GPRS, Bluetooth, UWB and LoRa modules for precise tracking and two-way alerts.

Panic & Fall Detection

Built-in panic buttons and fall-detection sensors that send and receive alerts.

Centralized Dashboard

Web and mobile dashboard with live worker locations, alerts and compliance status.

Automated Alerts

Notifications for unauthorized access, document expiry and restricted-area proximity.

Geofencing

Dynamic and fixed geofences keep workers in safe zones and flag hazardous areas.

PowerBI Analytics

Advanced analytics to spot trends, track compliance and improve protocols.

On an offshore platform, seconds matter

In remote, high-risk environments, knowing exactly where each worker is — and being alerted the instant someone falls, presses panic, or crosses into a hazardous zone — can be the difference between a near-miss and a tragedy. The smart badge turns every worker into a connected, protected node of the safety system.

Implementation & Results

Proven in the lab and in the field

The proof of concept involved rigorous laboratory and field testing to validate reliability under real operational conditions. Smart badges were deployed and SmartX HUB integrated across multiple sites, including offshore platforms and refinery construction zones. The results were impressive:

Real-time
worker geolocation
NR
safety compliance
Offshore
+ refinery sites
  • Improved safety compliance with NR regulations, reducing incidents and keeping certifications current.
  • Enhanced monitoring through real-time tracking and automated alerts on worker movement and status.
  • Operational efficiency by automating manual processes and cutting paperwork.
  • Informed decision-making — analytics helped identify and address risks proactively.
Conclusion

Setting a new standard for offshore safety

Petrobras' innovation POC with SmartX Technology showcases the potential of advanced technology to enhance workforce management and safety in the petroleum industry. By leveraging smart badges and an integrated platform, Petrobras set a new standard for safety and efficiency — protecting its workforce and keeping extensive projects running smoothly.

Explore related capabilities: Connected Safety Platform, Staff Duress Solution, and Oil & Gas Safety 4.0.

Protect every worker, everywhere they work

See how SmartX HUB connects smart badges, geofencing and real-time alerts into one safety platform — built for the harshest, most remote operations.

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