Revolution in Agroindustrial Safety: Atvos Uses GPS to Prevent Accidents in Cane Fields

Innovation in Agriculture: Atvos Implements a Real-Time Monitoring System for Safety in Cane Fields

In a constant effort to reinforce safety in its agricultural practices, Atvos, one of the giants of ethanol production in Brazil, launched an unprecedented project using a GPS device attached to vehicles used in the field. This action is aimed at preventing accidents at work and in the environment in areas close to the electricity grids in its sugarcane fields. The pioneering implementation, which began in 2022 at the Santa Luzia Unit (USL), in Nova Alvorada do Sul (MS), is now ready to be extended to other regions of the country.

Innovative Strategy: The Use of Technology to Minimize Risk

“Safety is a core value for Atvos, and we have an ongoing commitment to caring for people and the planet inside and outside our operations. Therefore, we are investing more and more in innovative safety solutions to mitigate any risk”, says Ayslan Fingler, Health, Safety and Environment Manager at the South Pole at Atvos.

With the support of the Topography department, the project called “Protection System for Fixed Points of Energized Networks” was developed by the Health, Safety and Environment (SSMA) sector of Atvos. This system mapped approximately 85 hectares of own and supplier cane fields, recording around 6 poles and overhead and underground electrical networks at the Santa Luzia Unit (USL). All of this information was incorporated into the GPS system used on tractors, trucks and harvesters operating in the area.

Benefits of Innovation: Real Time Alert for More Security

“In the previous version, we didn't have the option to indicate the exact location of each pole in the area. Now, at the slightest sign of the presence of these high and medium voltage structures, as well as holes, drains and other possible risks to the operation, an alert is triggered in a few seconds on the screen of the device attached to the vehicles. This is possible thanks to georeferencing monitoring, which provides accurate real-time location, increasing activity security,” explains Ayslan.

Now, after the successful pilot project, the expectation is implement this innovation in the other agro-industrial operations of Atvos, located in the states of Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul and in Oeste Paulista. “Our internal SSMA teams are already mapping the equipment of other units to adapt systems and assess local risks, with the intention of expanding the use of this same protection technology”, concludes the manager.