Arauco is a global leader in the wood products industry, operating multiple cellulose and reconstituted wood factories across Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. Their facilities include expansive wood yards where pedestrians, front-end loaders, cranes, and trucks operate side by side in an environment with significant visibility challenges and a high potential for struck-by incidents.

Arauco’s wood yards contain large stacks of timber that create persistent blind spots for both equipment operators and authorized pedestrians. Despite attempts to reduce risk, the company struggled with:

• Limited visibility around piles of wood
• Frequent pedestrian–machine interactions
• Hazardous operating conditions in high-traffic yards

Arauco previously attempted to address these risks using a radio-frequency identification system from another supplier. The technology failed to meet the demands of the environment, resulting in unreliable detection and little improvement in safety outcomes.

Recognizing the need for a more effective solution, Arauco partnered with AHM Solution, the Brazilian HIT-NOT® dealer, to conduct a comprehensive accident-risk analysis across 12 Chilean factories.

AHM Solution performed extensive on-site evaluations, assessments, and risk analysis, studying

• Pedestrian travel patterns
• Machinery movement and operational flow
• Environmental challenges such as blind corners and obstructed sight lines
• High-risk intersections and choke points

“This detailed look at all parties and areas involved was very important for the project to be successful because just adopting the solution would not bring the necessary transformation to the company,” said Jaime Inostroza, Occupational Health and Safety Manager at Arauco in Chile.

The assessments revealed that Arauco needed a technology capable of functioning reliably through obstructions, not just around them.

The Solution: HIT-NOT® Proximity Detection Technology

Following the analysis, AHM Solution introduced HIT-NOT®, a patented magnetic-field proximity detection system designed to work in environments where radio and camera-based systems fail. Unlike RF or line-of-sight technologies, HIT-NOT® can penetrate physical barriers like stacked timber, giving operators and pedestrians reliable warnings even when visibility is blocked.

Arauco implemented HIT-NOT® to:

• Detect pedestrians in blind spots
• Warn machine operators when a person entered a danger zone
• Improve traffic flow and reduce unnecessary machine stops
• Strengthen control over pedestrian circulation in high-risk areas

The Results: Fewer Incidents, Higher Productivity, and Renewed Confidence

Following implementation, Arauco experienced significant, measurable improvements:

• Reduction in near-misses and struck-by hazards
• Greater confidence among employees, both pedestrians and machine operators
• Increased productivity thanks to fewer stops and smoother machine circulation
• Enhanced operational efficiency without compromising safety

“In addition to eliminating or controlling pedestrian circulation where the machines operate, it can be seen that the operation is more productive and efficient. More productive because the machines stop less often and because the environment is safer,” said Inostroza. “Pedestrians feel safe knowing that they are actually identified, and machine and truck operators know that there are controls to identify the presence of people in the yards, even if they are not in their field of vision,” he added. By adopting HIT-NOT®, Arauco achieved reliable detection through blind spots, improved operational flow, and a significant reduction in risk. The result is a safer, more efficient work environment where employees trust the technology that protects them and leadership sees the benefits in productivity and performance.