GB2473061A

GB2473061A - Safety Arrangement Using RFID Tag and Sensor

Info

Publication number: GB2473061A
Application number: GB0915127A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pantelis Panteli
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-09-01
Filing date: 2009-09-01
Publication date: 2011-03-02
Also published as: GB0915127D0; GB2473091A; GB201011517D0

Abstract

A potentially dangerous electrical device, such as saw (fig. 7a and b), lift (fig. 8) or household appliance, includes a safety arrangement, comprising an RFID sensor (96) for sensing an RFID tag (95) within a response distance (d) of the electrical device, and a responder, the responder being in communication with the RFID sensor. In use, when the sensor senses a tag within the response distance of the electrical device, the sensor commununicates with the responder to provide a response by the electrical device. The response can include stopping the device via a brake or circuit breaker, or the production of an audible or visible alarm. The tag can be worn by a user, or incorporated in a user's clothing.

Description

A SAFETY ARRANGEMENT

Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to a safety arrangement. In particular, the present invention relates to electrical devices comprising a safety arrangement.

US patent 4,384,288 (Walton) described portable radio frequency emitting identifiers, commonly known as RFID tags.

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is well known. In this regard, RFID uses RFID tags in association with a product, animal or person for the purpose of identification and/or tracking of the product, animal or person using radio waves.

Most RFID tags contain at least two parts. The first part is an integrated circuit for storing and processing information, for modulating and demodulating a radio-frequency signal, and other functions. The second part is an antenna or antennae for receiving and transmitting signals.

There are at least three types of RFID tag in general use. Active RFID tags contain a battery and can transmit signals without stimulation by an external source of radio waves. Passive RFID tags have no battery and require an external source to provoke signal transmission. Battery assisted passive RFID tags still require an external source of radio waves to initiate, but generally have a longer range then passive RFID tags.

RFID is used widely in supply chain management to track and manage items in an inventory. The present invention relates to, inter a/ia, uses of known RFID tags in novel and inventive safety systems and safety arrangements.

RFID tags have been used previously in systems and methods for ensuring the safety of hazardous or dangerous substances. United States patent application number 10/301,846 (Chen et al; US'846) discloses an RFID system and method for ensuring the safety of hazardous or dangerous substances. In that system, RFID tags are generally applied to products to be stored. US'846 describes the use of RFID tags in a method to minimise undesired combinations of stored products, which products have RFID tags attached thereto to monitor their location.

United States patent application number 10/301,877 (Chen et al; US'877) describes the use of RFID tags in a method and system to ensure that 1 0 personnel are properly outfitted with necessary equipment, for performance of a particular task or procedure. In the procedure of US'877, safety clothing, for example safety goggles, are fitted with RFID tags. In one embodiment, a sensor senses whether a user is wearing said safety clothing before allowing entrance through a door, through which the user should not step without wearing safety clothing. Thus, US877 describes the use of RFID tags and RFID sensors in a safety method.

As will be appreciated, previous methods and systems utilising RFID tags and RFID sensors have worked on the general principle that a machine will not operate unless a user is wearing a piece of protective clothing, associated with an RFID tag. A detector associated with the machine detects the presence of an RFID tag on a user, and in the presence of the tag the machine will operate. In the absence of the tag, the machine will not operate, for safety reasons.

It will be appreciated that there is always a need to improve safety of certain devices, particularly electrical devices. By way of an illustrative example, if a user is using their hands to operate a meat grinder, there is a need for the grinder to stop in a situation where a user's hands get close to the cutting mechanism. Without some form of safety arrangement, there is a risk of injury to a user.

By way of a further illustrative example, it will also be appreciated that there is a need for improved safety devices which stop an electrical power source, so as to minimise the risk of electric shock, when a user is in close proximity.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improved safety arrangements, and improved electrical devices, which respond to a user's hand or hands, or other body part or parts, being in close proximity to a potentially dangerous operating feature, for example a cutting mechanism and/or an electrical power source.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided, an electrical device comprising a safety arrangement, the safety arrangement comprising: an RFID sensor for sensing an RFID tag within a response distance of the electrical device; and, a responder, the responder being in communication with the RFID sensor; wherein, in use when the RFID sensor senses an RFID tag within a response distance of the electrical device, the RFID sensor communicates with the responder to provide a response by the electrical device.

Preferably, the RFID sensor senses an RFID tag within the response distance, but not outside of the response distance.

Further preferably, the response distance is from 0.1 cm to 50 cm, or 0.1 cm to 40cm, or 0.1 cmto 30cm, or 0.1 cmto 20cm, or 0.1 cm to 10cm, or 0.1 cm to 5 cm, or 0.1 cm to 4cm, or 0.1 cm to 3 cm, or 0.1 cm to 2 cm, or 0.1 cm to 1 cm, or 0.1 cm to 0.5 cm, or 0.1 cm to 0.4 cm, or 0.1 cm to 0.3 cm, or 0.1 cm to 0.2 cm.

Advantageously, the responder is a stopping means and the response by the electrical device is the stopping of the electrical device.

Preferably, the stopping means is a circuit breaker.

Further preferably, the stopping means is a brake.

Advantageously, the responder is an audible alarm and the response by the electrical device is the sounding of an alarm.

Preferably, the responder is a visible alarm and the response by the electrical device is the activation of the visible alarm.

Further preferably, the visible alarm is a lamp and the activation of the visible alarm is the flashing of the lamp.

Advantageously, the electrical device is: a meat grinder, a hydraulic lift, a 1 5 hydraulic press, a chain-saw, a jigsaw, an electrical power socket, an electrical plug, a television, a mincer, a fan, an electrical cutting machine, a lathe, an electric drill, a chain-saw, a computer, a soldering iron, a pneumatic drill, a pneumatic lift, an electrical fire, an angle grinder, a meat slicer, a bread slicer, a circular saw, a cement mixer, a planer, a router, a miter saw, a nail gun, a reciprocating saw, a sander, a polisher, a table saw, a wood chipper, a fence trimmer, a brush cutter, electrically powered shears, a metal bender, a metal cutter, a sawmill, or any computer numerical controlled (CNC) machinery.

Preferably, the RFID tag is an active RFID tag, a passive RFID tag or a battery assisted passive RFID tag.

Further preferably, the response distance of the electrical device is the same as the response distance of the RFID sensor.

In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a safety arrangement, the safety arrangement comprising: an RFID sensor for sensing an RFID tag within a response distance of the RFID sensor; and, a responder, the responder being in communication with the RFID sensor; wherein, in use when the RFID sensor senses an RFID tag within a response distance of the RFID sensor, the RFID sensor communicates with the responder to provide a response.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a safety system, comprising: an RFID tag for attachment to a user; and, an electrical device comprising a safety arrangement, the safety arrangement comprising: an RFID sensor for sensing an RFID tag within a response distance of the electrical device; and, a responder, the responder being in communication with the RFID sensor; wherein, in use when the RFID sensor senses an RFID tag within a response distance of the electrical device, the RFID sensor communicates with the responder to provide a response by the electrical device; wherein, the RFID sensor senses the RFID tag when the RFID tag is within a response distance of the electrical device, thereby providing a response by the electrical device.

Preferably, the RFID tag is attached to a user.

Further preferably, the RFID tag is worn by a user.

Advantageously, the RFID tag is in a users clothing.

Preferably, the clothing is a glove, shirt, trousers, socks, dress, hat, spectacles, underwear, watch, shoes, t-shirt, sweatshirt, jumper, coat, bracelet, wrist band or protective face mask.

In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of effecting a response by an electrical device, the electrical device comprising: an RFID sensor for sensing an RFID tag within a response distance of the electrical device; and, a responder, the responder being in communication with the RFID sensor; the method comprising the steps of: attaching an RFID tag to a user; moving the RFID tag within a response distance of the electrical device; sensing the RFID tag within a response distance of the electrical device; communicating the presence of the RFID tag within a response distance of the electrical device to the responder; and, providing a response by the electrical device.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided the use of an RFID sensor and an RFID tag, for sensing an RFID tag within a response distance of the RFID sensor.

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front-perspective view of an electrical socket with an integrated RFID sensor.

Figure 2 is a schematic view (not to scale) of the electrical socket of Figure 1 and a user having an attached RFID tag.

Figure 3 is a front-perspective view of an electrical plug with an integrated RFID sensor.

Figure 4 is a back-perspective view of a different plug to the plug in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a schematic view of the plug of Figures 3 or 4, and a user (not to scale) having an attached RFID tag.

Figure 6 is a schematic view of a meat grinder with an integrated RFID sensor, and a user (not to scale) having an attached RFID tag.

Figure 7a is a perspective view of an electrically powered table saw. Figure 7b is an expanded schematic view of the table of the electrically powered table saw of figure 7a, and a user (not to scale) having an attached RFID tag.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a hydraulic lift, and a user (not to scale) having an attached RFID tag.

Figures 9a and 9b are schematic views of electrically powered jigsaws, and a user (not to scale) having an attached RFID tag.

Referring now to Figure 1, an electrical device, in particular an electrical socket 1, is shown in front-perspective view. The electrical socket 1 is attached to a wall 9 through attachment means 10, 11. The electrical socket 1 is connected to an electrical power supply (not shown). The electrical socket 1 is provided with an "on/off" switch 2 and holes 3, 4, 5 for engagement with an electrical plug. The electrical socket 1 is generally in accordance with previously known electrical plug sockets. It is to be appreciated that different shapes and/or spatial arrangements of slots 3, 4, 5 could be provided, depending on local standards. In the non-limiting embodiment of Figure 1, the arrangement of the slots 3, 4, 5 is generally as standard in the UK for a domestic power supply.

As depicted in Figure 1, the electrical socket 1 further comprises an RFID sensor 6. The RFID sensor 6 is in electrical communication with the "on/off" switch 2 and/or the electrical power supply to the socket 1 (not shown). The RFID sensor has an antenna 7 and a communication means 8 which, in this specific embodiment, can communicate with either the "on/off" switch 2 and/or the electrical power supply (not shown) to stop the electrical power supply when the antenna 7 senses an RFID tag within a response distance.

With reference to Figure 2, the electrical socket 1 of Figure 1 is shown adjacent to a user 20 (not to scale). The user 20, in this specific embodiment, has an RFID tag 21 attached to their arm. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the RFID tag 21 could be attached to any body part, or be associated to the user 20, but not necessarily attached, for example on a bracelet or keychain.

In the situation depicted by Figure 2, the user 20 is a distance d from the electrical socket 1. In the situation that the electrical socket 1 is turned on, the RFID sensor 6 is also turned on. The RFID sensor 6 senses, through antenna 7, when the RFID tag 21, attached to the user 20, is within a response 1 5 distance d of the electrical socket 1.

In the embodiment depicted by Figures 1 and 2, the RFID sensor 6 is of the type currently manufactured and sold by SkyeTek, Inc. under the name SkyeModuleTM Ml. All other RFID sensors, described in the further embodiments herein, are of the same type. However, it will be appreciated that any known RFID sensor, which can be configured so that it senses an RFID tag within a desired response distance, can be used.

In the embodiment depicted by Figures 1 and 2, the RFID tag 21 is of the type manufactured and sold by Avery Denison RFID under the name AD-714. All other REID sensors, described in the further embodiments herein, are of the same type. However, it will be appreciated that any know RFID tag which can be read by an RFID sensor can be used.

In this embodiment, the RFID sensor 6 draws power from the electrical socket 1, as would, for example, an LED on a conventional socket.

The RFID sensor 6 stops the electrical power supply to the electrical socket 1 when the RFID tag 21 is within a response distance d of the socket 1. In this regard, the response distance can be from 0.1cm to 50cm, 40cm, 30cm, 20cm, 10cm, 5cm, 4cm, 3cm, 2cm, 1cm, 0.5cm, 0.4cm, 0.3cm, or 0.2cm. The response distance can be set to a desired distance, to ensure safety.

Preferably, the antenna of the RFID sensor 6 is selected to provide a specific response distance. The same response distances are used in all other embodiments described.

It will be appreciated that the specific embodiment described with reference to Figure 2 above provides a safety arrangement which mitigates the chance of a user suffering an electric shock. For example, where the open electrical socket 1 is on, and the user 20 is a child, the electrical socket 1 turns off when the child is close to the socket 1.

Figure 3 shows an electrical device, in particular an electrical plug 30 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The plug 30 has pins 31, 32, 33 for connection with a socket, e.g. socket 1. The pins 31, 32, 33 can have any shape, number or spatial arrangement, depending on local standards. Plug 30 has an RFID sensor 34. The RFID sensor 34 comprises an antenna 35 and a communication means 36. Plug 30 is in electrical communication with an electrical device (not shown) through electrical wire 37.

Turning to Figure 4, an electrical device, in particular an electrical plug 40 is shown. Plug 40 is a reverse-perspective view of the plug 40. As will be appreciated, electrical devices can be plugged into the plug 40 through hollows 41, 42 and 43, which hollows can have any shape, number or spatial arrangement, depending on local standards. Plug 40 comprises an RFID sensor 44. The sensor comprises an antenna 45 and communication means 46. The plug 40 can be in electrical communication with an electrical device through the standard plug of an electrical device being plugged into the hollows 41, 42, 43.

Figure 5 shows a plug, either 30 or 40, and a user 50 with a RFID tag 51 attached thereto. The user 50 is a distance d from the plug, 30 or 40.

When the plug 30 or 40 is plugged into an electrical socket, and the electrical socket is turned on, electricity flows through the plug and into the electrical device attached thereto, so that the electrical device attached thereto can operate. With plug 40, the electricity supply could be on and, at the same time, hollows 41, 42, 43 could be open to users. When the user 50 is within a response distance d of the plug 30 or 40, the RFID tag 51 is sensed by the RFID sensor 34 or 44. The electrical supply is then stopped, in this embodiment by a circuit breaker, and the electrical device stops. Therefore, the user 50 is not subject to electric shock or mechanical injury as a result of the device continuing to operate when the user 50 is in close proximity thereto, namely, within a response distance.

Referring again to Figure 5, and plug 30, in a preferred embodiment, the response distance d is not less than the length of the electrical wire 37. In this preferred embodiment, it is not possible for a user, e.g. a child, to walk away from the plug 30, while holding an electrical device (not shown) connected thereto, and operate the electrical device once outside of the range of the sensor 34.

Turning to Figure 6, an electrical device, in particular a meat grinder 60 is shown. The meat grinder 60 has an opening 61 for accepting meat to be ground. Ground meat is emitted from exit 62. Between opening 61 and exit 62 is a mechanical cutting mechanism (not shown). The mechanical cutting mechanism (not shown) is driven by electrical power. Electrical power is supplied via electrical wire 63, from electrical socket 64. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, when the meat grinder 61 is turned on, there is a danger of a user's 65 hand 68, or other body part, being caught in the mechanical cutting mechanism.

According to this embodiment, when the user 65, having an RFID tag 66 attached to his or her arm, or any other body part, is within a response distance d of the meat grinder 61, the RFID tag 66 is sensed by the RFID sensor 67. Upon sensing of the user 65 within the response distance d by the sensor 67 the electrical supply to the grinder 60 is stopped, thereby stopping the cutting mechanism and reducing the chance of the user 65 being injured by the mechanical cutting mechanism.

In other embodiments, the electrical device is not necessarily a meat grinder 60. Instead, and as will be appreciated, the electrical device of other embodiments, comprising the safety arrangement described above with respect to a meat grinder 60, can be: a television, a mincer, a fan, an electrical cutting machine, a lathe, an electric drill, a chain-saw, a computer, a soldering iron, a pneumatic drill, a pneumatic lift, an electrical fire, an angle grinder, a meat slicer, a bread slicer, a circular saw, a cement mixer, a planer, a router, a miter saw, a nail gun, a reciprocating saw, a sander, a polisher, a table saw, a wood chipper, a fence trimmer, a brush cutter, electrically powered shears, a metal bender, a metal cutter, a sawmill, any computer numerical controlled (CNC) machinery, or any other electrical device.

Turning to Figure 7, in particular Figure 7a, an electrically powered table saw 70 is shown. The table saw 70 has a saw blade 71 for sawing. Matter to be sawn (not shown) is placed by a user on the table 72. The saw blade moves by way of electrical power provided from the mains supply (not shown). In the embodiment shown in Figure 7b, when the table saw 70 is turned on, there is a danger of a user's 73 hand 74, or other body part, being caught in the moving saw blade 71.

According to this embodiment, when the user 73, having an RFID tag 75 attached to his or her arm, or any other body part, is within a response distance d of the saw blade 71, the RFID tag 75 is sensed by the RFID sensor 76. In a preferred embodiment, the RFID tag is attached to the user's 73 hand 74 by way of attachment to a glove (not shown) worn by the user 73. Upon sensing of the user 73 within the response distance d by the sensor 76 the electrical supply to the table saw 70 is stopped, thereby stopping the cutting mechanism and reducing the chance of the user 73 being injured by the saw blade 71.

In another embodiment, once the user 73 is within the response distance d of the saw blade 71, the response of the table saw 70 is to emit an audible alarm.

In yet a further embodiment, once the user 73 is within the response distance d of the saw blade 71, the response of the table saw 70 is to emit an audible alarm and/or to emit a visual alarm and/or to stop through the stopping of the power supply and/or to stop through the action of a brake which arrests the saw blade 71.

Turning to Figure 8, an electrically powered hydraulic lift 80 is shown. The hydraulic lift 80 has a platform 81 which is raised and lowered by hydraulic arm 82 in a conventional manner. The platform 81 moves by way of electrical power provided from the mains supply (not shown) to the hydraulic system 87 which effects the hydraulic arm 82. In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, when the platform 81 is lowered from a raised height, there is a danger of a user 83 being caught beneath the platform 81.

According to this embodiment, when the user 83, having an RFID tag 84 attached to his or her head, or other body part, in this embodiment in a hard hat 85, is within a response distanced of the platform 81, the RFID tag 84 is sensed by the RFID sensor 86. Upon sensing the user 83 within the response distance d by the sensor 86 the electrical supply to the hydraulic lift 80 is stopped, thereby stopping the lowering of the platform 81 and reducing the chance of the user 83 being injured by the platform 81 being lowered onto them.

In another embodiment, once the user is within the response distance d of the platform 81, the response of the hydraulic lift 80 is to emit an audible alarm. In yet a further embodiment, once the user is within the response distance d of the hydraulic lift 80, the response of the platform 81 is to emit an audible alarm and/or to emit a visual alarm and/or to stop through the stopping of the power supply and/or to stop through the action of a brake which arrests movement of theplatform8l.

Turning to Figure 9, electrically powered jigsaws 90a and 90b are shown. The jigsaws each have a jigsaw blade 91 a and 91 b respectively which is driven by electrical power. The difference between jigsaws 90a and 90b is the way electrical power is provided to the blades 91a and 91b. Blade 91a moves by way of electrical power provided from the mains supply (not shown) through electrical wire 92a. Blade 91 b moves by way of electrical power provided by battery 93b. In this embodiment, battery 93b is a rechargeable battery and is integral to the jigsaw 90b. However, it will be appreciated that in another embodiment battery 93b can also be a non-rechargeable battery.

Furthermore, in yet another embodiment battery 93b is removable.

It will be appreciated that when the jigsaws 90a and 90b are turned on, there is a danger of a user's 94 hands being caught in the moving jigsaw blade 91a and 91 b respectively.

According to this embodiment, when the user 94, having an RFID tag 95 attached to his or her arm, or any other body part, is within a response distance d of the saw blade 91a, the RFID tag 95 is sensed by the RFID sensor 96. In a preferred embodiment, the RFID tag 95 is attached to the user's hand by way of attachment to a glove worn by the user 94. Upon sensing of the user 94 within the response distance d by the sensor 96 the electrical supply to the blade 91a or 91b is stopped, thereby stopping the cutting mechanism and reducing the chance of the user 94 being injured by the blade 91 a or 91 b respectively.

According to this embodiment, when the user 94, having an RFID tag 95 attached to his or her hand, or other body part, is within a response distance d of the blade 91a or 91b respectively, the RFID tag 95 is sensed by the RFID sensor 96. Upon sensing of the user 94 within the response distance d by the sensor 96 the electrical supply to the blade 91 a or 91 b respectively is stopped, thereby stopping the movement of the blade 91a or 91b respectively and reducing the chance of the user 94 being injured by the blade 91a or 91b respectively.

In another embodiment, it will be appreciated that, once the user is within the response distanced of the blade 91a or 91b respectively, the response of the jigsaws 90a or 90b is to emit an audible alarm. In yet a further embodiment, it will be appreciated that once the user is within the response distance d of the blades 91a or 91b respectively, the response of the jigsaw 90a or 90b is to emit an audible alarm and/or to emit a visual alarm and/or to stop through the stopping of the power supply and/or to stop through the action of a brake which arrests the blades 91 a and 91 b.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises11 and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

Claims 1. An electrical device comprising a safety arrangement, the safety arrangement comprising: an RFID sensor for sensing an RFID tag within a response distance of the electrical device; and, a responder, the responder being in communication with the RFID sensor; wherein, in use when the RFID sensor senses an RFID tag within a response distance of the electrical device, the RFID sensor communicates with the responder to provide a response by the electrical device.
2. The electrical device of claim 1, wherein the RFID sensor senses an RFID tag within the response distance, but not outside of the response distance.
3. The electrical device of claims 1 or 2, wherein the response distance is from 0.1 cm to 50 cm, or 0.1 cm to 40 cm, or 0.1 cm to 30cm, or 0.1 cm to cm, or 0.1 cm to 10 cm, or 0.1 cm to 5cm, or 0.1 cm to 4cm, or 0.1 cm to3cm,or0.1 cmto2cm,or0.1 cmtol cm,orO.1 cmtoo.Scm,or0.1 cm to 0.4 cm, or 0.1 cm to 0.3 cm, or 0.1 cm to 0.2 cm.
4. The electrical device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the responder is a stopping means and the response by the electrical device is the stopping of the electrical device.
5. The electrical device of claim 4, wherein the stopping means is a circuit breaker.
6. The electrical device of claim 4, wherein the stopping means is a brake.
7. The electrical device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the responder is an audible alarm and the response by the electrical device is the sounding of an alarm.
8. The electrical device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the responder is a visible alarm and the response by the electrical device is the activation of the visible alarm.
9. The electrical device of claim 8, wherein the visible alarm is a lamp and the activation of the visible alarm is the flashing of the lamp.
1 0. The electrical device of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the electrical device is: a meat grinder, a hydraulic lift, a hydraulic press, a chain-saw, a jigsaw, an electrical power socket, an electrical plug, a television, a mincer, a fan, an electrical cutting machine, a lathe, an electric drill, a chain-saw, a computer, a soldering iron, a pneumatic drill, a pneumatic lift, an electrical fire, an angle grinder, a meat slicer, a bread slicer, a circular saw, a cement mixer, a planer, a router, a miter saw, a nail gun, a reciprocating saw, a sander, a polisher, a table saw, a wood chipper, a fence trimmer, a brush cutter, electrically powered shears, a metal bender, a metal cutter, a sawmill, or any computer numerical controlled (CNC) machinery.
11. The electrical device of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the RFID tag is an active RFID tag, a passive RFID tag or a battery assisted passive RFID tag.
12. The electrical device of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the response distance of the electrical device is the same as the response distance of the RFID sensor.
13. A safety arrangement, the safety arrangement comprising: an RFID sensor for sensing an RFID tag within a response distance of the RFID sensor; and, a responder, the responder being in communication with the RFID sensor; wherein, in use when the RFID sensor senses an RFID tag within a response distance of the RFID sensor, the RFID sensor communicates with the responder to provide a response.
14. A safety system, comprising: an RFID tag for attachment to a user; and, an electrical device according to claim 1; wherein, the RFID sensor senses the RFID tag when the RFID tag is within a response distance of the electrical device, thereby providing a response by the electrical device.
15. The safety system of claim 14, wherein the RFID tag is attached to a user.
16. The safety system of either claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the RFID tag is
17. The safety system of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the RFID tag is in a users clothing.
18. The safety system of claim 17, wherein the clothing is a glove, shirt, trousers, socks, dress, hat, spectacles, underwear, watch, shoes, t-shirt, sweatshirt, jumper, coat, bracelet, wrist band or protective face mask.
19. A method of effecting a response by an electrical device, the electrical device comprising: an RFID sensor for sensing an RFID tag within a response distance of the electrical device; and, a responder, the responder being in communication with the RFID sensor; the method comprising the steps of: attaching an RFID tag to a user; moving the RFID tag within a response distance of the electrical device; sensing the RFID tag within a response distance of the electrical device; communicating the presence of the RFID tag within a response distance of the electrical device to the responder; and, providing a response by the electrical device.
20. Use of an RFID sensor and an RFID tag, for sensing an RFID tag within a response distance of the RFID sensor.
21. An electrical device substantially as herein described with reference to the Figures 1 to 9.
22. A safety arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to the Figures 1 to 9.
23. Any novel feature or combination of features described herein.