How Artificial Intelligence Impacts Workplace Safety

Preventing workplace injuries and fatalities is crucial for organisations of all sizes and across sectors.

Various technological solutions can help organisations mitigate potential hazards and protect their employees from harm. In particular, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a valuable safety tool. 

Overview of AI Technology

AI technology consists of machines, computer systems and other devices capable of simulating human intelligence processes. Workplace applications of AI technology are widespread, but some of the most common include the following:

• Computer vision technology—This technology can be paired with surveillance systems, drones, wearable sensors and smart devices to help monitor images and video footage captured at a worksite.
• Natural language processing systems—Sometimes called chatbots, these systems can analyse both written sources and spoken details to extract key information at a rapid pace, producing in-depth reports and summarising worksite data in seconds.
• Predictive and prescriptive analytics engines— Such technology relies on existing research and worksite documentation to help predict future scenarios and offer recommendations for successful outcomes.

How AI Technology Affects Workplace Safety

Organisations could use AI technology in several different ways to help boost their workplace safety efforts. Specifically, such technology can be utilised to accomplish the following initiatives:  
• Hazard recognition—AI technology can help improve overall worksite visibility and call attention to hazardous situations before they cause injuries. Certain AI technology can even help catch unsafe behaviours or possible medical conditions displayed by employees in real time and provide immediate guidance. 
• Employee training—Implementing AI technology within workplace safety training can give employees the opportunity to experience realistic simulations of different hazards they may encounter in their roles and review proper responses in a controlled setting, such as how to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly or react to a chemical spill. 
• Equipment maintenance—AI technology can help assess workplace equipment for wear and tear or other types of damage and deliver notifications when it’s time for periodic maintenance or critical repairs, thus reducing the risk of such equipment malfunctioning and causing serious incidents and injuries. 
• Incident detection and reporting—Besides recognising hazards, AI technology can quickly identify when workplace incidents and injuries occur paving the way for timely response measures and potentially improving recovery outcomes. Additionally, AI chatbots could help expedite incident reporting processes through the use of voice transcription features.
• Safety compliance—Finally, AI technology can help bolster compliance with applicable workplace safety regulations by monitoring employees for non-compliant behaviours and ensuring worksite documentation meets all relevant requirements.

Conclusion

As a whole, it’s evident that AI technology can make all the difference in helping organisations improve their workplace safety initiatives and minimise potential incidents and injuries.

Contact us today for additional risk management solutions.