It’s the time of year when slips and falls are a real concern
Whether we like it or not, wintertime is upon us, and that means a higher risk of slips, trips and falls, which can cause injuries ranging from sprains and strains to broken bones and concussions. These incidents lead to lost work time, reduced productivity, higher replacement and overtime costs, and increased workers’ compensation claims. Employers are legally responsible for providing safe workplaces, including safe entry and exit on employer-owned or maintained property such as parking lots, walkways, stairs and entrances. And winter hazards affect all workplaces — not just construction sites. Slips and falls can also happen inside the workplace for a number of reasons. Slips, trips and falls Slips occur when traction is low (due to ice, spills, loose mats, wet floors) Trips occur when the foot hits an object (due to clutter, poor lighting, uneven surfaces, cables) Falls can result from both slips and trips, and can cause […]
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 […]
Things to consider before voting for the WCB’s Industry Custom Pricing
A number of industries in Alberta will be voting on Monday, September 15th on whether to join a program the Workers’ Compensation Board calls Industry Custom Pricing or ICP. The WCB describes it as “an optional program that empowers industries to customize various features of their pricing program, giving them greater control over the premiums they pay.” In effect, the ICP program offers industry members lower premium costs in return for giving up the option for cost relief in certain cases (the Cost Relief Option), or for allowing the WCB to modify the rate-setting calculations for that industry (the Experience Rating Option). There’s a good BCL overview of this program with more background and some common questions here. In a nutshell, all the members of a given industry group get to vote on whether to become part of the ICP program, and if companies that represent more than 50% of […]
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 […]