AI and tech in safety and health

IOSH brought together global experts dealing with AI and workplace digital transformation for a series of webinars focusing on AI and tech in occupational safety and health (OSH). The webinars delved into the complexities surrounding AI in the workplace, from its applications in enhancing health and safety to the ethical considerations that come with its use.

AI applications in workforce management

Prakash Senghani, co-founder and CEO of Navatech Group based in Dubai, provided insights into how AI is being used to enhance safety in the workplace. He emphasised the importance of understanding AI as a tool that augments human capabilities rather than replacing them. Here are some practical applications.

• AI analytics: AI can analyse vast amounts of data generated by workers and various sensors, providing actionable insights to improve safety and efficiency.
• Vision AI: Using image recognition technology, AI can assess ergonomics and monitor potential hazards in the workplace, helping to prevent injuries.
• Conversational AI: By creating chat interfaces, organisations can bridge the gap between workers and safety information, facilitating better communication and understanding.

These applications demonstrate the potential of AI to enhance safety management while ensuring that human input remains central to the decision-making process. 

Ethical considerations in AI integration

While AI offers numerous benefits, it also raises ethical concerns. Tess Buckley, Programme Manager for Digital Ethics and AI Safety at TechUK, highlighted the importance of ethical principles in AI implementation. Organisations must ask themselves critical questions.

• What is the purpose of integrating AI into the workplace?
• How will it impact worker autonomy and job satisfaction?
• Are there mechanisms in place for transparency and feedback?

Addressing these questions can help organisations navigate the complex landscape of AI and ensure its integration supports rather than undermines worker wellbeing.

How can AI and tech enhance safety? 

The second webinar collectively emphasised a balanced approached to adopting technology for workplace safety. From innovative solutions to strategic integration, the panel provided a roadmap for using technology in the workplace while safeguarding workers’ wellbeing.

Cameron Stevens, Safety Innovation Consultant based in Australia, discussed the application of cutting-edge tools like drones, augmented reality and robotics to redesign and eliminate hazardous work environments.

Cameron introduced enhanced approaches to traditional risk management, emphasising strategic application over deploying technology for its own sake. He touched on the synergy of keeping humans in the loop and stressed the importance of integrating humans with technology rather than replacing them.

Adding to the discussion was Dr Cleo Varianou-Mikellidou, Lecturer in Occupational Safety and Health at the European University in Cyprus. She presented monitoring tools, including wearables for real-time hazard detection, such as managing heat stress and exposure to harmful substances. Dr Cleo emphasised that we still need a holistic approach when it comes to developing an OSH management system and adapt policies and risk assessments to the digital changes that we are seeing today. 

We also had insight into how the Global Vice-President of Safety at Siemens, Andresa Hernandes, developed the organisation’s digital literacy journey. Andresa shared efforts on how they enhanced digital literacy among Siemens’ 1,400 environmental OSH professionals through targeted training and knowledge-sharing platforms.

She highlighted the importance of partnerships and leader involvement in successfully driving digital transformation in safety practices.

Will there be a digital divide?

The rapid evolution of technology risks excluding certain groups. For the third part in the series, industry leaders explored how technology can drive inclusion in the workplace, particularly for employees with disabilities. From assistive technologies to immersive virtual reality (VR) solutions, the session delved into innovative approaches to promote equity, mental wellbeing and accessibility.

IOSH invited the European Disability Forum (EDF) to highlight the findings of its research on digital skills, accommodation and technological assistance for employment (DATA). A key finding was that only 25 per cent of European employers have internal policies supporting workers with disabilities. Gaps include a lack of reasonable accommodation and accessible hiring practices. Here, EDF encourage employers to adopt the “ask, listen, implement” approach to understand and address the needs of workers with disabilities.

Neil Milliken, Vice-President and Global Head of Accessibility and Digital at Atos, emphasised the importance of accessibility in workplace technology, sharing examples of inclusive features like captions and screen readers. A catalogue of assistive technologies ensures consistent and seamless support across large organisations. Integrating accessibility into every stage of a company’s operations and corporate strategy can help to create an inclusive culture.

By using immersive technology, Dr Majid Al-Kader, CEO of MX Reality, showcased virtual reality-based cultural awareness tools and simulations, including recreations of impactful historical events. He showed how these experiences can provide immersive learning opportunities, allowing users to explore scenarios safely and empathetically, where being exposed to diverse backgrounds even in an immersive world can foster a culture of inclusion among a workforce. VR technology also serves as a safe space to practice high-stress scenarios, preparing workers for real-world challenges.

The discussion showcased that technology is a powerful enabler for workplace inclusion, but its true potential lies in thoughtful implementation and collaboration. One of the challenges highlighted was affordability of investing in and implementing such technology, but lowering hardware costs and improving the interoperability of technologies can make inclusive tools more widely available.

The human touch 

One of the common themes was that the future of workplace safety lies in integrating humans with technology, emphasising shared goals, ethical use and strategic collaboration. Through responsible experimentation and a focus on prevention, organisations can unlock the potential of emerging technologies to create safer, healthier workplaces.