Transforming Enterprise Safety Initiatives with AI

In the timeless quest for workplace safety, the pursuit of innovative solutions has been a constant. From the ancient builders of Egyptian pyramids to the trailblazers of 20th-century behavior-based safety, history reflects an ongoing commitment to minimizing accidents and enhancing the well-being of workers.

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The 19th and 20th centuries saw attempts to apply social sciences to reduce accidents, identifying 'accident-prone' workers and exploring environmental factors affecting safety. The evolution of safety culture measurement shifted from reactive indicators to proactive leading indicators. These leading indicators, such as managerial discussions on safety and the effectiveness of safety committees, provided a more nuanced understanding of safety culture.

The Role of AI in Safety Culture Evolution

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As we navigate the 21st century, we encounter a transformative force in safety initiatives: artificial intelligence (AI). Traditional safety programs often rely on lagging indicators like accident rates, sometimes missing the nuances of the frontline workforce. AI-driven systems have emerged as game-changers, capable of processing vast amounts of data to unveil behavioral patterns and correlations that might escape human observation. This empowers organizational leaders with a more accurate and up-to-date view of their safety culture.

Enhanced Data Collection with AI

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While mobile apps have facilitated rapid data collection, they often require workers to interrupt their tasks. Here, AI computer vision takes center stage, providing continuous, reliable monitoring without disrupting workflows. For example, if a box falls from a shelf onto the floor, someone needs to notice the box, avoid walking or driving into it, and then stop and report it. Computer vision could watch it fall on a CCTV camera and send an alert to the system. If vehicles regularly take shortcuts through pedestrian areas or drive the wrong way in a one-way system, someone has to spot this and feel confident enough to report it. Computer vision can provide a report on how many times this has happened, where, and when.

Avoiding a Blame Culture

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However, the effectiveness of AI in shaping safety culture depends on more than just technology. Managers have to remember a key non-technical requirement of a safety culture program: if the physical and organizational environment causes people to behave in a particular way, reinforcing the rules or punishing people won’t improve the culture. You need to avoid a blame culture and instead demonstrate a shared commitment to employee safety by providing the resources to fix the environment. So, if your computer vision system shows drivers are taking shortcuts, perhaps it’s because they are being rushed to complete a job. If handlers are adopting poor postures to move heavy loads, perhaps it’s because there aren’t enough trolleys. If people aren’t wearing prescribed PPE, perhaps it’s because it’s uncomfortable or makes other tasks difficult.

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In the journey for workplace safety, artificial intelligence stands out as a transformative force, not just a tool. From ancient builders to 20th-century trailblazers, the commitment to worker well-being has been constant. Embracing AI empowers organizations to proactively shape safety cultures, reduce risks, and prioritize every worker's well-being. Let AI be a beacon illuminating the path to a safer, more supportive work environment.