Can AI Be Trusted with Worker Safety?

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AI is changing everything—including how we keep workers safe. From construction to manufacturing, industries are beginning to explore how artificial intelligence can help reduce risk, prevent accidents, and ultimately save lives. But in a highly regulated and sensitive area like worker safety, the big question is: Can we trust AI?

 

The Promise of AI in Worker Safety

Every year, millions of workers are injured on the job, many in ways that could have been prevented. AI, with its ability to analyse massive amounts of data, recognise patterns, and suggest improvements, offers a powerful way to achieve proactive risk prevention.

Imagine an AI-powered system that reviews your risk assessments, compares them with best practices, and suggests improvements in real time. Picture this data being shared instantly across teams and contractors via a dashboard, improving coordination and reducing the chance of missed details. That’s the kind of future AI promises.

When integrated into Control of Work systems, AI can help standardise safety practices across industries and contractor groups, making it easier for companies to stay compliant while keeping their people safe.

 

Trust Starts with Good Data

Not all AI is created equal. A generic chatbot trained on internet data isn’t suitable for high-risk environments—some of these models are less than 40% accurate. In safety-critical industries, that margin of error is unacceptable.

The most reliable AI systems are trained on validated, high-quality data. When these systems are continuously updated with real-world lessons learned, they can achieve more than 90% accuracy, giving safety professionals the confidence to act on AI-generated insights.

 

Wearables, Robotics, and Real-Time Monitoring

AI isn’t limited to dashboards and data analysis. In the field, wearable devices powered by AI are already helping to monitor workers’ health, fatigue, exposure to heat or hazardous gases, and even their location relative to high-risk areas.

Robots and drones, are taking on dangerous tasks like inspections or working in confined spaces with support from image AI applications. Combined with real-time data and 5G connectivity, these tools allow for quicker decisions and reduced human exposure to harm.

 

Challenges Ahead

Despite the promise, AI in worker safety comes with challenges:

  • Privacy Concerns: Wearables and monitoring systems must balance safety with respect for workers’ privacy. Clear policies and data transparency are essential.

  • Worker Buy-In: Some may see AI as a threat to jobs. It's important to communicate that AI is here to assist—not replace—human workers.

  • Bias and Reliability: AI is only as good as the data it's trained on. Systems must be regularly updated and reviewed to avoid blind spots and biased recommendations.

 

Regulation and Responsibility

In the UK, AI development is being guided by a “Principles-Based Approach” focused on safety, transparency, fairness, and accountability. Any AI system adopted for worker safety should adhere to these standards to be truly trustworthy.

Frameworks, like the UK government’s Cyber Essentials Plus ensure systems are robust and secure. These safeguards are especially important when the margin for error could mean a serious injury, or worse. This also aligns with Yokogawa’s own commitment to its AI Policy, in which we pledge to:

·         Safety – develop and operate products and solutions that pose no danger, ensuring both safety and security; and

·         Security and Privacy – strengthen security in the collection, storage, and use of data, while protecting personal information and other confidential data,
among other key principles.

 

Looking Ahead

AI will never replace the need for human oversight in safety, but it can dramatically enhance it. From real-time alerts to predictive analytics, the role of AI in worker safety is becoming clearer, and the benefits are hard to ignore:

  • Proactive risk mitigation

  • Faster, smarter decisions

  • Improved compliance

  • Real-time responses to emerging threats

As companies look to the future, those that embrace AI with care and responsibility will be better equipped to protect their people and lead the way in innovation.

Discover how organizations are rethinking worker safety in the age of AI: Yokogawa RAP: Leading Edge Safe Control of Work Specialists

 

About the Author

Emma Bundy

Experienced Marketing Professional with a history spanning 30 years in the software, services, and manufacturing industries. Proficient in Marketing Management, Project Management, Product Marketing, and Market Research.

For over 14 years, I have dedicated my expertise to the Digital Control of Work sector, promoting the adoption of best practice safety and smarter, safer working environments for workforces and contractors worldwide through Yokogawa RAP's intelligent and innovative software solutions.