Each year, workplace accidents account for an alarming number of injuries and fatalities. Despite strict regulations and safety measures, the International Labour Organization reports approximately 340 million occupational accidents worldwide every year. In the United States alone, the Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses for private industry employees in 2022.

These aren’t mere statistics; they represent individuals whose lives have been disrupted and businesses that face severe operational and financial repercussions. As companies grow and more people enter the workforce, these accidents will become more frequent.

For organizations, ensuring a safe, zero-accident environment is critical to success. This attitude has given rise to environment, health, and safety (EHS) initiatives and the Journey to Zero movement, which is the belief that no one should be injured in the workplace. Many safety-conscious teams have adopted this belief yet lack the visibility to monitor and enforce safety policies properly.

With the rise of AI, all of this could change. EHS leaders are now looking for innovative technologies to improve worker safety and prevent accidents to get one step closer to hitting "Zero." In this article, we’ll share how AI can enable easier EHS management and lead to better outcomes at an unprecedented scale.

The Challenges with Traditional EHS Methods

Effective EHS management is an intricate system of policies, practices, and compliance with regulatory standards. But even the most robust systems aren’t foolproof. Traditionally, EHS management has relied heavily on manual processes—routine checks, human observations, and after-the-fact reporting. While these methods have been the backbone of safety protocols, they come with limitations: human error, delayed emergency response, and the inability to predict and prevent incidents effectively.

These constraints can lead to more accidents and significant legal and financial consequences. According to the National Safety Council, an injury costs an average of $42,000, and a death costs upward of $1.3 million per incident. When you factor in additional impacts, such as decreased efficiency, every accident can be incredibly draining to an organization.

The complexity and ineffectiveness of these legacy EHS systems create greater demand for more innovative solutions that match the pace of dynamic workplaces and provide preventive, rather than reactive, approaches to safety management.

Using AI to Modernize EHS and Prevent Workplace Accidents

We’re undeniably in the middle of an AI industrial revolution. AI enhances how humans interact with the world and has finally made its way into video security systems.

One of the primary challenges with conventional accident prevention methods is the need for more visibility. Traditional video security systems are focused on monitoring and recording footage. By contrast, an AI-based solution uses machine learning algorithms to analyze live footage automatically to help you understand what’s happening in your environment. These systems can interpret context, analyze behavior, anticipate risks, identify patterns, detect anomalies, and alert managers of potential safety violations in real time—all without constant monitoring.

By adopting AI video security, EHS leaders can expand business intelligence and situational awareness to safeguard their employees and prevent accidents. For example, an AI system can detect when an individual enters a work area without the proper safety gear and instantly notify managers, who can address the situation before an accident occurs. AI also quickly identifies unsafe behaviors—such as speeding on a forklift, near-miss accidents, unauthorized access, and cluttered work areas.

EHS leaders can leverage AI to protect their people, property, and operations proactively. AI video security brings a host of other advantages, including:

• Proactive and preventive measures: AI systems analyze footage and alert managers of unsafe activity in real-time, enabling immediate preventative action.
• Enhanced monitoring: An individual no longer needs to monitor facilities and operations manually. AI can continuously monitor your environment and automatically alert you when safety violations occur.
• Secure storage: Security footage is easily retrievable. Employers can quickly review safety infractions and look for additional employee training opportunities to prevent issues from happening again.
• Operational efficiency: AI helps streamline EHS management, eliminating manual work and freeing human resources for more critical tasks.
• Compliance and reporting: With automated and accurate safety dashboards, AI makes it easy to adhere to regulatory requirements and measure compliance with internal safety policies.

Another benefit of AI is reduced financial implications when accidents occur. Beyond the human cost, workplace accidents can incur heavy fines, legal fees, reparations, and increased insurance premiums. Organizations can significantly shrink these expenses by preventing accidents and proactively creating a safety-focused culture with AI video security.

Safe environments minimize downtime and increase productivity, positively impacting a business’s bottom line. Studies from the American Society of Safety Professionals have shown that companies can expect a $4–$6 return for every $1 invested in safety programs, proving that investing in AI security and safety systems has clear potential to deliver positive ROI.

How to Evaluate AI Video Security Systems

Not all AI video security systems are created equal. If you’re considering implementing AI in your organization, here are the top things to remember when evaluating possible solutions:

• Technological compatibility: Assess if the AI solution can integrate with your existing systems without causing disruptions. A unified solution is ideal, as it ensures the most seamless AI video security experience possible.
• User accessibility: Ensure the system is user-friendly and accessible for all levels of tech proficiency within your organization. If the system is easy to use, it will be easier to adopt, leading to increased ROI and successful implementation.
• Scalability: Determine if the solution can be tailored to your needs and grow with your organization. Some vendors charge for additional AI analytics, so we recommend finding a solution with all-inclusive pricing to ensure you get new features at no extra cost.
• Data management and security: Evaluate how the system stores video data and review its cybersecurity practices to ensure it is SOC 2 Type II compliant, end-to-end encrypted, and routinely pen-tested by third parties.
• Customer support: AI video security is a new technology; the proper support and training are necessary for success. Be sure to find a vendor that offers personalized support and training to facilitate a smooth transition.

Create Safer Spaces with AI

For many organizations, the Journey to Zero may seem lofty and impossible. But AI has revolutionized how we monitor and protect our workers, environments, and procedures. It empowers teams to work smarter and create an environment where safety is prioritized, and incidents are prevented. With the power of AI, EHS leaders can turn the dream of a zero-accident workplace into a reality.