Future technology is a double -edged sword in the world of work – opportunities for safety and new risks

Robots help reduce risks and improve efficiency by assuming dangerous tasks, helping surgeries, and improving logistics.

Artificial intelligence systems enhance safety and health control, simplify tasks and operations, reduce work burdens and pay innovation – even in traditionally low -tech sectors. However, the report emphasizes the need for proactive policies to ensure the implementation of these technologies safely and fairly.

Manal Azzi, head of the Occupational Safety and Health Policy team at the International Labor Organization, said:

“Digitization provides tremendous opportunities to enhance safety in the workplace. And robots can replace workers in dangerous jobs related to 3D technology, which can be dirty, dangerous and degrading. Automation (automatic systems) can reduce repeated tasks, as is the case in factories production lines or in administrative work, allowing workers to take over more challenging tasks. But to benefit fully benefit from this Technologies, we must ensure their implementation without incurring new risks. “

The effect of technology on safety and health

The report highlights that advanced robots and automation, and the use of virtual and augmented reality – as well as new tools such as wearable smart devices that provide actual risk detection or environmental sensors that track air quality – work to transform safety and health by preventing accidents and reducing exposure to dangerous materials.

Moreover, digitization leads to the emergence of hybrid work arrangements and at a distance create elasticity and improvement of mental health. However, these developments may also bring new risks.

While the robots are effective tasks effectively, workers who are maintaining, repairing these machines may face new risks.

The unexpected behavior of robots, system malfunctions, or cyber threats can endanger safety. The risks of the work environment may arise from the interaction between the human and the robot, as well as the use of wearable devices and external structures that lack the appropriate suitability, ease of use or comfort.

The study confirms that excessive dependence on artificial intelligence and automation may reduce human oversight, which in turn will increase the risks of occupational safety and health, while the work burdens driven by algorithms and continuous communication can contribute to stress, exhaustion and mental health problems.

The report also reveals the safety and health risks faced by workers through the digital supply chain, from those working in extraction operations to those who occupy artificial intelligence, as well as workers who deal with electronic waste.

The report is titled “A revolution in health and safety: the role of artificial intelligence and digitization at work” And published before World Safety and Health Day in the place of uncleFor April 28.