AI and Machine Learning in Workplace Safety: What Irish Businesses Should Know
For many years, we have relied on a reactive approach to raise health and safety standards in workplaces in Ireland, basing industry recommendations and standards on information gained by investigating accidents after they have occurred or after hazards have been identified. This has made a vast difference to the safety of our workplaces and working in all industries is now safer than ever before, but there are new ways to improve our practice and move towards a predictive model.
The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning has enabled a shift in the way we approach health and safety at work, and this is good news for workers and businesses across Ireland. Managing the risks in the workplace using tools such as this can improve outcomes for everyone, and the first step in this process is to understand the capacity and capabilities of the technologies that are being developed, as well as appreciating their limitations and the practical and ethical elements we must consider.
Predictive Safety Analysis
The use of AI technology in many industries is complex, and the benefits and costs must be weighed carefully. In the health and safety industry, advances are possible because AI tools can identify patterns more quickly and efficiently than human operatives, and this helps make data systems such as incident logs, accident books, maintenance logs and environmental records more accessible and find correlations to predict increased risk.
In reality, an algorithm could identify a significant increase in risk when certain factors are aligned, such as weather conditions and team member combinations or the use of certain equipment. The AI tools can manage data on several variables to find patterns that human analysts would not have picked up on, and in this way, can reveal vital information that can help to predict and quantify risks, and suggest interventions that may be implemented to reduce the level of risk in the future.
Using Smart Sensors in the Workplace
Did you know that monitoring using smart sensors on a wireless system can provide key environmental information that can make the workplace safer? Smart sensor systems can be used to monitor elements such as temperature, humidity and air quality, and can raise the alarm if these rise or fall significantly. This technology is taken further by the growing wearable tech industry, and we are seeing an increase in equipment such as smart helmets that can detect falling hazards or high concentrations of gas in a room, for instance.
Smart sensors can play a role in monitoring movement and posture while carrying out manual tasks in the workplace, which can help to encourage safe lifting and practices to protect the body. Many workplaces are also beginning to use location tracking systems to regulate safe working zones and monitor the safety of machines and equipment to identify potential problems and malfunctions.
Cameras and Computer Vision Systems
Cameras have been used in workplaces for many years, but improved AI technology has made it possible for businesses to use computer vision systems that monitor the workplace in real time and can identify unusual or unsafe situations. Because this is reliant on machines rather than human operatives, it can provide constant coverage. These systems can identify, for instance, if workers are not wearing PPE or if a secure zone is breached.
The use of computer vision systems highlights the potential for AI tools to take on mundane but essential tasks such as monitoring, since there is no risk of them missing key details or becoming distracted, as humans monitoring cameras could. There is, however, a risk of false alarms and a concern around alienation of the workforce, so careful introduction of these systems is important. As the available technology improves, it is becoming ever more adept at identifying potential hazards and incidents of ‘near miss’, and this can enable improvements to practice that can prevent accidents and save lives.
Document Analysis
A key role for AI tools and machine learning is in processing the information in documents and reports relating to safety, such as accident logs, safety records and incident write-ups. From actual accidents to near misses, the information contained in these documents can provide a great deal of valuable information, and AI analysis can enable the identification of patterns and trends.
Key factors in accidents can be correlated, and risks or potential hazards identified for immediate attention. Issues such as failure to investigate accidents correctly can also be highlighted here. As AI tools continue to develop, it is becoming more common to use reporting methods that enable speech-to-text records rather than extensive documentation, and this can be very effective for the consistency of information and improving conditions for workers.
AI Tools: Valid Concerns?
There is, unsurprisingly, some resistance to the use of AI technology in the workplace, particularly around privacy and security. It is vital that businesses consider GDPR in their implementation of these tools, and it is important to work with experts to ensure transparency and legitimate usage. As with any changes to your organisation, it is best approached in consultation with workers and with clear guidance on correct usage. Of course, empowering workers to take responsibility for their own safety and to play their role in making the workplace safer is crucial, and this should be a priority alongside any other systems involved.
As with all AI applications, there is a concern around bias, and training models have shown embedded bias against women, for instance. Training data will improve as time goes on, as systems are more extensively used and audited, but it is important to be aware of this potential problem. Investing in sound data collection is the first step, ensuring that the quality of data is good, and this can enable time-saving, accurate processes using AI tools. Communication between departments and systems is key, and investment here can underpin the future potential for your business and contribute to improving safety conditions across every level of your organisation.
Safety Experts in Ireland
At ASM, our qualified safety experts are committed to staying at the forefront of the industry and guiding your business in the development of new tools and opportunities to develop safer practices. Talk to our experienced Health and Safety consultants, and find out how we can help.
