In underground mining, ensuring personnel safety around rotating and moving equipment is critical. Epiroc and BHP Olympic Dam have collaborated to advance drill safety systems, addressing hazards like entanglement from spinning drill steels and crushing from positioning equipment. This partnership led to the development of Epiroc’s Drill Stop System Mk1 and Mk2 (DS Mk1 and DS Mk2), evolving through feedback, technological advancements, and continuous improvement. The first-generation Drill Stop System (DS Mk1) integrated laser detection to immobilise machinery, but user feedback highlighted issues such as a lack of tramming mode and false trips from environmental factors like dust. These insights drove the creation of the DS Mk2, which improved system integration, added mode selections, enhanced reset times, and introduced an automatic stop feature for better operability. However, challenges emerged during implementation, particularly with the Passive Infrared (PIR) sensors used in the DS Mk2. These sensors struggled to reliably detect personnel in Olympic Dam’s underground environment due to ambient rock temperatures. In response, Epiroc and BHP collaborated with Retenua to implement their Emitrace stereoscopic camera system. This AI powered system detects personnel by identifying reflections from high-visibility clothing, eliminating the limitations of PIR sensors and improving detection reliability. The project’s success, completed in seven months, underscores the importance of collaboration between equipment manufacturers and mining operators. It highlights how feedback, continuous testing, and innovation can lead to tailored solutions that enhance safety without compromising operational efficiency. The Drill Stop Mk2 and Emitrace system now offer a safer, more reliable solution for underground mining, protecting personnel while maintaining productivity at BHP Olympic Dam.