Big brother or big breakthrough?

The full potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not yet fully understood, but its impact is already being felt in our daily lives. AI has now become an inseparable part of the social fabric. We don't often realise how casually we have stepped into the AI sphere and are already reaping its benefits - though, with some caveats, others may argue that we are moving into uncharted territory we do not yet fully understand.

There are already countless examples of how we use AI in our daily lives. For example, Google Maps uses AI to suggest the fastest routes based on live traffic, email filters automatically sort spam or prioritise important messages, autocorrect and predictive text on smartphones, shopping and ads where Amazon, eBay, or online stores recommend products based on your browsing or purchase history, and smart recommendations on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Paramount+, or YouTube tailoring suggestions to your taste - the list can go on.

The use of AI in the workplace, health, and safety has also gained momentum and is set to continue. Even though, at present, we are merely scratching the surface of its true potential, AI is already playing a transformative role in reshaping health and safety risk management, monitoring, and prevention.

Traditionally, workplace health and safety have relied on inspections, audits, monitoring, training sessions, and manual reporting. In most cases, this work is carried out manually, with advisors or managers visiting sites, speaking to workers, and reviewing documentation, where past records are seen as evidence. However, these manual interventions have clear limitations; for example, they are prone to human error, time-consuming and resource-heavy, reactive rather than proactive, and they also lack real-time insights. These challenges highlight the need for change to adapt to more efficient approaches, and AI is here to fill the gaps.

Based on my experience in the health and safety sector, I have noticed a growing emphasis on early hazard detection and prevention, with AI systems now being installed in mobile plant such as shovels, 360-degree excavators, JCBs, and forklifts to detect pedestrians and warn drivers when someone approaches within a set distance. Drivers can see these alerts in real time on a monitor, and any breaches can also be monitored remotely by managers. Moreover, in the event of any accidents, incidents, or near misses, these recorded videos could be useful for conducting investigations.

Computer vision AI can monitor factors such as PPE compliance and unsafe behaviours, while also generating real-time insights to support improvements in behavioural safety. One practical example is the implementation of computer vision AI at a Marks & Spencer warehouse, where the company reduced workplace incidents by 80% within just 10 weeks. Also, a large food distributor operating hundreds of distribution centres implemented computer vision monitoring, with reported benefits including a 75% reduction in safety events. AI checked these activities, for example, forklift speeding, vehicle-pedestrian near misses, violations of restricted zones, and travelling in the wrong directions.

Although computer vision AI can greatly improve workplace safety, with some arguing that it infringes on privacy and creates a "big brotherwatching" system to catch people, I believe that once the initial resistance fades, it may eventually become normalised and become part of safety culture. History shows that when new technology arrives, people are often initially resistant; as a result, organisations may still be uncertain about how to integrate potential new norms into their policies and procedures.

Apart from administrative and ethical considerations, companies that choose to implement AI in workplace health and safety must also carefully consider the legal implications. In the UK, for example, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies whenever organisations process personal data, and companies need to justify its use as fair, proportionate, and transparent - for example, establishing a lawful basis for processing employee data.

Not only computer vision AI, but there are other areas such as predictive analysis for identifying safety risks before they escalate. AI analyses historical and real-time data to identify patterns that indicate an increased likelihood of future incidents. However, these are still simple tasks that AI can perform in its nascent stage.

This potential is already being realised in modern fire prevention systems, which increasingly incorporate AI, thermal imaging, and advanced detection technologies to identify fire risks at the earliest possible stage.

Looking further ahead, AI could potentially combine with advanced computing such as quantum simulation and help design safer and more sustainable battery materials at a molecular level, reducing reliance on traditional lithium batteries. This could lead to batteries that are less flammable, easier to recycle, and therefore help reduce the risk of fires in the waste sector. This would greatly help the sector, as lithium battery fires have become one of the biggest challenges in recent years.

Finally, while AI has significant potential to improve workplace health and safety, there are still many challenges and barriers that remain. For example, false positives and false negatives raise concerns about the accuracy and reliability of these systems, as incorrect predictions or false alarms can lead to complacency or unnecessary interventions. AI technology also comes with high implementation and maintenance costs and as previously mentioned, raises significant privacy and employee trust concerns. One of the most important impacts is the risk of becoming over-reliant on technology at the expense of our own judgement and decision-making abilities.

Ultimately, the goal should not be to rely solely on intelligent systems, but to create a collaborative environment where human expertise and AI work together to achieve safer, smarter, and more resilient workplaces.

Yousuf Jamil is a Health, Safety & Environmental practitioner based in the UK.

yousuf.jamil@gmail.com