Safety monitoring systems monitor and collect information from machines and operations. If a safety fault occurs, they can signal an operator to take appropriate action, or perform the action automatically. Network safety systems include all of the components that comprise a complete network security solution. They are used manufacturing facilities and machine shops to facilitate industrial automation. Double redundant and triple redundant features are an important part of a network safety system.

Safety monitoring systems include sensors, a programmable logic controller (PLC), network security software, and a network security tool for troubleshooting. Sensors are used to detect objects, determine proximity, and report environmental conditions such as light, temperature, and humidity. Sensors that are integrated with other hardware and software components of can also be used to send lock-out signals to a programmable logic controller (PLC). A PLC is also used for the programming and customization of a network safety system. For example, some machines use a PLC to monitor systems and provide corrections, changes, or even stoppage in order to maintain operations within a given set of safety parameters. Network security software can be used to isolate problems so that a faulty machine can be stopped without shutting down an entire assembly line. In this way, network safety systems promote efficiency while ensuring worker safety.

The core of safety monitoring systems is redundancy through distributed control systems (DCS). DCS are network security tools that are designed to provide information between modular sections of a larger manufacturing system. For example, if a failures occurs in module 2 of a chemical plant (e.g., a pump fails to shut down due to controller failure), other modules are immediately alerted so that corrective action can be taken. The network is notified about the controller’s failure (double redundant), and a switch inside the tank shuts down the pump (triple redundant).