October is National Safe Work Month. Each week, Cooper Grace Ward’s workplace relations and safety team will ask you to think about the safety systems and practices in your business.
In this third instalment, lawyer William Head looks at the week three theme, ‘For the future – the long-term impact‘. New technologies and AI are changing how people work, but they can also introduce new hazards, including added job demands that leave some workers feeling unsupported or left behind. Employers should consider the training and support they provide during periods of change, the risk of technology misuse between employees, and how they will monitor use and respond to concerns.
Video transcript
October is National Safe Work Month. This year’s theme is ‘Safe work is for life’. Each week we’ve been asking you to think about the safety systems and practices in your business.
My name’s Will and I’m a workplace relations lawyer with Cooper Grace Ward. In week one, we looked at why work health and safety matters and in week two, we looked at what it is that work health and safety protects. This week the topic is ‘For the future’ and I’m going to ask you to think about how forward thinking your business is with work health and safety matters.
As we all know, the workplace is rapidly changing as new machinery technologies are being introduced. AI is rapidly changing how we work and businesses are starting to adopt AI in its daily practices and are actually starting to encourage its workers to use AI. However, as workplaces evolve, it’s important to take time to consider whether any new hazards are being introduced with these changes and whether any additional control measures need to be implemented.
For example, the introduction of new technologies may introduce additional job demands for workers and they may not feel supported during these periods of change. There’s a risk that some workers will feel left behind as these changes are introduced. You should therefore consider the extent of the training that’s been provided to your workers on these new technologies and if they’re being appropriately supported and trained throughout this period of change.
You should also consider if there’s any risk of employee misuse of these new technologies. For example, is there a risk that employees are going to misuse these technologies in their interactions with each other? If so, you should consider how you’re going to monitor technology use and respond to any concerns.
In considering emerging workplace risks, one of the first things that we recommend you do is consult with your workers. They are the ones that will be best placed to understand what the risks and hazards in your business are and whether there’s anything else you need to do. From there, you can consider what controls you’re going to implement.
These are just a few examples of how you can consider whether your business is ready for the future. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to a member of our Workplace Relations and Safety team.
