Sponsored by VelocityEHS. Workplace ergonomics programs have made generations of manufacturing workers safer and more productive, but getting there can be expensive and time-consuming. Paper-based, expert-led, observational ergonomics assessments can be costly and disruptive to operations. However, it's a field ripe for improvement from artificial intelligence (AI).
Some of those opportunities to use AI in ergonomics are:
- Any employee can use a smartphone to upload videos of a job and receive an ergonomics assessment with risk levels.
- AI can take a short description of the task, combined with the video results, and propose the likely root causes.
- When the user selects the applicable cause(s), AI can propose controls.
- From there, AI can predict the impact of the control.
The simplification of the job improvement process allows managers to spend their time where it belongs—on improving jobs.
What You Will Learn
- Explain the steps of an effective, scalable process for ergonomics job improvement
- Describe how AI can help simplify and standardize ergonomics efforts
- Examine how modern dash cam technology supports proactive coaching, transparency, trust between drivers and management, and ultimately a culture of safety.
- Explain at least one limitation of AI as it relates to the ergonomics job improvement process
Speaker
Rick Barker, CPE, CSP, Head of Product-Ergonomics, VelocityEHS
Rick has over 30 years of experience assisting organizations in developing, implementing, evaluating, and improving their health and safety programs. Currently, he leads the development of software products that empower users to improve their ergonomics and overall safety processes. Rick holds Master's degrees from both the University of Dayton and Miami University. Rick is active in the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society as well as the American Association of Safety Professionals, including serving on the society’s AI Task Force.