With advancements in Artificial Intelligence technologies, including tools like ChatGPT and augmented reality, small and medium enterprises (SME) can now access cost-effective solutions previously available only to large corporations
Mia Wichmann holds a Master of Health (Workplace Health and Safety). She completed a thesis in 2022 on The Impacts of Artificial Intelligence on Workplace Health and Safety in Aotearoa New Zealand.
This article summarises and builds on her original research, incorporating recent advancements in AI and legislative changes to explore the practical opportunities these developments present for small and medium enterprises (SME).
New Zealand is a leader on the world stage in many areas, but unfortunately, workplace health and safety is not one of these.
Easily applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) support is now available to SME, offering an opportunity to address this gap effectively. AI is a transformative tool for Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) and able to offer SME innovative ways to complement their safety management system while boosting productivity.
As New Zealand strives for WHS excellence, AI adoption is likely to be a part of achieving these goals.
Through wearable devices, generative AI tools, and collaborative robotics, SME have the opportunity to lead the way in workplace safety innovation.
By addressing challenges like cost, workforce resistance, and data privacy, SME are able to harness AI’s potential to assist organisational teams to create safer, more efficient workplaces.
Work safety applications
AI is rapidly becoming a enabler of safer work environments. Wearable technologies such as Kinetic and Reactec devices have transformed the way many workplaces address manual handling and vibration-related hazards.
An example of this is Kinetic devices, these are belt-mounted tools that detect high-risk movements, providing real-time feedback to workers through device vibrations on the hip.
By analysing data from these devices, organisations can work with the worker to redesign workflows to reduce hazardous movements, with some reporting reductions of up to 64% in high-risk activities.
Similarly, Reactec devices, worn on the wrist, monitor exposure to vibrations, noise, and other hazards. These devices calculate daily exposures, notifying workers when limits are increasing or have been reached and generate detailed reports that employers can use to implement effective controls.
AI-powered video monitoring systems and drones have also enhanced workplace safety. Video analysis tools embedded within the likes of CCTV or other cameras are able to detect unsafe behaviours, such as forklift-pedestrian interactions, and logging violations for review.
Drones equipped with AI can be used to inspect hard-to-reach areas, offering SMEs cost-effective, low-risk solutions for hazard detection and equipment maintenance. These innovations provide real-time insights and allow organisations to act quickly on identified risks or eliminate risk by utilising technology to complete the task.
Natural language processing (NLP) tools like ChatGPT are increasingly being used to process safety reports and identify patterns of concern.
SME can utilise these tools to draft incident reports, pinpoint emerging risks, and streamline compliance with safety regulations.
NLP enables the quick linkage of safety reports to historical databases, uncovering trends and causation that might otherwise be missed.
By analysing workplace observations submitted via the applications, WHS teams can be alerted to potential hazards and act proactively to prevent incidents.
Sensor technologies further enhance workplace safety by enabling live monitoring of environments. Proximity sensors on forklifts help reduce collision risks by alerting operators to nearby pedestrians, while environmental sensors detect hazardous gases, excessive noise levels or unsafe temperatures.
Forklift sensors optimise lift height and speed to prevent tilt-overs, ensuring loads remain secure and reducing the likelihood of incidents.
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) training tools offer immersive ways for workers to experience high-risk scenarios without the risk of experiencing in real life.
These technologies are cost-effective for SMEs and improve safety awareness by allowing employees to practice navigating dangerous situations in controlled virtual environments.
An example of these trainings that forklift operators can use for example, are VR simulations to improve their responses to safety challenges. Reception from these kinds of trainings have been positive due how impactful the ‘real-life’ scenario is.
Real-World applications
Several New Zealand-based organisations have successfully implemented AI to improve WHS.
Robotics Plus, a Tauranga-based company, has developed autonomous systems that remove workers from hazardous environments while increasing productivity.
Similarly, a Christchurch manufacturing plant had demonstrated that forklifts equipped with sensors were able to reduce pedestrian interaction risks, ensuring safer warehouse operations. Workers were actively involved in optimising sensor placement, improving buy-in and effectiveness of the tool.
These are just a small number of examples that highlight how AI technologies can be tailored to meet the unique needs of SME, delivering evident improvements in safety and efficiency of the workplace.
Benefits of AI for SME
AI, which is starting to become built into many online/cloud based safety solutions, can simplify hazard and incident reporting, automating traditionally time-consuming processes of inputting data.
This improves reporting accuracy and ensures ongoing compliance with legislation which mandates proactive risk management.
By analysing workplace data, AI-powered systems identify specific training needs, offering tailored feedback to workers, enhancing the effectiveness of safety programs while minimising downtime.
Predictive risk assessments enabled by AI allow SME to identify potential hazards before incidents occur, creating a safer work environment as well as reducing costs associated with incidents.
AI-driven safety processes also encourage worker engagement. By involving employees in these initiatives and using people as the solution, SME can develop a culture of ownership and collaboration.
Real-time feedback empowers workers to take an active role in maintaining safety, creating a more proactive and inclusive approach to WHS.
Emerging safety trends
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT are becoming integral to workplace communication and knowledge sharing. These tools are able to be used to create safety manuals, translate procedures, and answer employee queries on WHS topics.
Similarly, collaborative robots (cobots) are becoming more popular as they work alongside human employees to assist with repetitive or hazardous tasks.
Cobots require fewer resources to integrate than fully autonomous systems, making them a solution to consider for SMEs looking to protect workers from hazardous situations.
Ethical considerations, such as data privacy and transparency, are increasingly central to AI adoption. SMEs should prioritise tools that align with regulatory standards and build trust among employees by being transparent about AI’s role in their operations, involving teams early is known to lead to a more receptive workforce.
AI tools also offer valuable insights into safety culture, enabling organisations to assess and improve employee behaviours and strengthening feedback loops. By leveraging on these insights, SMEs can drive continuous improvement in safety practices.
Challenges and mitigation strategies
While these is immense potential in the use of AI, there are challenges that organisations may face when adopting these technologies.
Initial costs and resource constraints are common barriers, but there are grants or subsidies available that can be applied for to help relieve financial pressures.
SME can also start small by implementing scalable AI tools and gradually expanding their use as benefits become evident, starting small can also help with the ‘buy in’ from the workforce.
Workforce resistance to AI is another significant challenge. Employees may view AI as a threat to job security or autonomy.
It is extremely important that organisations prioritise transparency and education, engaging workers early in the implementation process and explaining how AI enhances safety without replacing human roles.
Upskilling employees to use AI tools effectively can also mitigate resistance and foster greater acceptance throughout organisations.
The global shortage of AI specialists presents another barrier.
SME can partner with AI vendors offering comprehensive support or invest in upskilling existing IT staff to manage these technologies, this is a route that many companies are beginning to take.
Data privacy concerns also require careful attention, which is why robust governance policies are needed, as well understanding how AI solutions comply with regulations like New Zealand’s Privacy Act 2020, which ensures that sensitive employee data is protected.
AI adoption and safety culture. As stated previously organisations should involve workers in AI implementation decisions and ensure that these technologies complement existing WHS practices rather than replacing human judgment. Building trust and demonstrating the tangible benefits of AI will help integrate these tools seamlessly into the workplace, the more the workers know and understand, the greater the reception and uptake of the tools.
The health and safety payback
Investing in employee health can substantially increase economic returns with marked improvements in productivity.
AI doesn’t just speed up risk assessments. Above everything, it helps create a safer work environment in ways that were simply not possible before.
Read this report thanks to Content Partners McKinsey.
