Monday April 28th is World Day for Safety and Health at Work. The International Labour Organization (ILO) began observing this event in 2003 to promote the prevention of work-related injuries, diseases, and fatalities.
This year’s theme is the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalization in revolutionizing workplace environmental health and safety (EHS). The ILO is highlighting how these emerging technologies are improving employee safety by preventing accidents and reducing hazardous exposures. At the same time, they are stressing the need for proactive policies to ensure these advancements are implemented safely and without introducing new risks.
The Benefits of AI in EHS
In their recent report, Revolutionizing Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalization at Work, the ILO discusses how these technologies can significantly improve employee safety, but emphasizes that they must complement, and not replace, human judgement related to EHS practices.
The benefits of various types of AI that are highlighted in the report include those listed below.
- Autonomous robots can replace workers in hazardous environments such as those that involve heavy lifting, work with toxic materials, and exposure to extreme temperatures.
- Automation can reduce the need for employees to perform physically demanding and/or repetitive tasks, including those in factory production lines or in administrative work, reducing both physical and mental strain.
- AI-powered sensors enable real-time monitoring and hazard detection. These along with predictive modeling can enhance risk assessments, allowing for more proactive EHS management.
- AI-driven systems and tools can monitor workplace conditions and predict equipment failures before they occur.
- Extended and virtual reality are improving employee safety training with immersive simulations for hazard recognition and emergency response.
Concerns About the Use of AI in EHS
The report also discusses that these technologies can introduce new risks and lead to accidents. For instance, while robots can take on hazardous tasks, employees who maintain, repair, or collaborate with them may encounter other dangers from unpredictable robotic behaviors, system failures, or cyber threats that can compromise safety.
In addition, the ILO cautions that over-reliance on AI and automation may reduce human oversight, which would, in turn, increase EHS risks. They further stress that manager and non-management level employees must be actively involved with all stages of AI and digital technology implementation to ensure that these advancements enhance, rather than undermine, workplace safety.
Despite the potential concerns, according to Dr. Manal Azzi, Team Lead on Occupational Safety and Health Policy and Systems at the ILO, they believe that through human-centered policies it can be assured that digital innovations are drivers for safe and healthy working environments.
On April 28, 2025 (7:30 am – 9:00 am EDT), a meeting of ILO members and other international experts in the field will be held to discuss the findings of the Revolutionizing Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalization at Work report and to further explore how these technologies are reshaping EHS. Information on viewing the meeting can be found by following this link.
This Blog was written by Beth Graham, Safety Partners’ Director of Quality, Research, and Training.
