How AI could help make the workplace safer part three
(Note: This is the third in a three-part series on the use of artificial intelligence tools in the workplace. The first part is here and the second part is here) Whether we call it machine learning or artificial intelligence, there are tools in the workplace now that can use video evidence and other tools to identify and flag a wide array of hazards in real-time, including wet floors, exposed wires, hairline cracks in machinery parts, or equipment left in dangerous positions. Its precision allows it to detect minute irregularities that might be imperceptible to the human eye. These kinds of tools can also verify the integrity and correct positioning of safety barriers, guardrails, or railings in the workplace, and ensure that workers maintain safe distances from operating machinery or hazardous equipment, and that all essential safety signs are correctly placed and clearly visible. Some companies are using AI systems to […]
How AI could help make the workplace safer part two
(Note: This is the second in a three-part series on the use of artificial intelligence tools in the workplace. The first part is here) Whether we call it machine learning or artificial intelligence, there are tools in the workplace now that can use video evidence and other tools to identify and flag a wide array of hazards in real-time, including wet floors, exposed wires, hairline cracks in machinery parts, or equipment left in dangerous positions. Its precision allows it to detect minute irregularities that might be imperceptible to the human eye. These kinds of tools can also verify the integrity and correct positioning of safety barriers, guardrails, or railings in the workplace, and ensure that workers maintain safe distances from operating machinery or hazardous equipment, and that all essential safety signs are correctly placed and clearly visible. Some companies are using AI systems to do object detection and predictive analytics relating […]
How AI could help make the workplace safer
(Note: This is the first in a three-part series on the use of artificial intelligence tools in the workplace) There’s a lot of concern about the potential risks or downsides of artificial intelligence — a term that encompasses technologies such as machine learning, computer vision, and predictive analytics — but it has its positive aspects as well. For one thing, it is rapidly expanding the capabilities of safety leaders in modern workplaces, and represents a profound departure from traditional safety measures, which often rely on reactive responses to incidents after they have occurred. Instead, AI allows for a proactive approach, giving companies the ability to anticipate and mitigate hazards before they escalate into accidents by using tools such as predictive analytics, real-time monitoring, and automated hazard detection. Doing so can foster a safer work environment, and substantially reduce accident rates — and premiums. Machine learning algorithms are instrumental in industrial […]
The first 90 days on the job are critical for safety part four
Note: This is the last entry in a four-part series on the challenges related to an employee’s first 90 days on the job. You can read the first here, the second here, and the third here. A lack of experience and familiarity with new work environments and procedures significantly contributes to the heightened risk of safety incidents during the first 90 days of employment. New employees are often unfamiliar with the specific equipment they will be using and the established safe work procedures for their assigned tasks . This lack of familiarity can lead to errors in operation or judgment, consequently increasing the likelihood of accidents. It’s important to recognize that even individuals with prior work experience can be considered “new workers” when starting a new role or joining a new company due to the unique equipment, procedures, and potential hazards specific to that workplace. Inexperienced employees may also react […]
The first 90 days on the job are critical for safety part three
Note: This is the third in a four-part series on the challenges related to an employee’s first 90 days on the job. You can read the first here, and the second here Employers bear significant responsibilities in creating and maintaining a safe working environment for all employees, and these responsibilities are particularly critical during a new employee’s initial period of employment. The safety process should ideally commence even before the employee’s first day. Employers should integrate safety information into job descriptions, postings, and employment boards to provide potential candidates with a realistic preview of the job and its inherent risks . Asking safety-related questions during the interview process serves as an early introduction to the importance of safety within the organization and can help assess a candidate’s safety mindset . A comprehensive onboarding program with a strong emphasis on safety is paramount. This includes providing new hires with thorough training […]