Last week, we hosted a highly engaging event focusing on the role of SafetyTech and AI in reshaping workplace safety, held at Kennedy’s Law in the iconic Walkie-Talkie Building. The event brought together industry leaders and innovators to discuss how emerging technologies can enhance safety management and drive meaningful change. A recurring theme among attendees was that many companies are still in the early stages of exploring these solutions, raising important questions about implementation: How do you choose the right solution? Can it be tailored to your business needs? And importantly, how much will it cost to integrate?
Our lineup of speakers provided invaluable insights into these questions. Luke Robinson, Group HSSEQ & Compliance Director at Wincanton, shared his experience developing a cutting-edge, profit-generating training programme, with AI and data at its core. His programme has not only delivered substantial returns but also reduced accidents by an impressive 80% in some areas. This sparked a lively discussion on how other businesses might adopt similar strategies, particularly in using tech to create bespoke solutions that go beyond traditional safety protocols and leveraging clever partnerships.
Further feedback also underscored the potential of AI in predicting and preventing accidents, suggesting that the next big shift in safety will come from moving away from lagging indicators to using predictive analytics. This is a key advantage AI brings – the ability to foresee risks before they occur, enabling preventative measures that can significantly reduce workplace incidents.
George Emery from Kennedy’s also offered a comprehensive overview of the legal landscape surrounding AI in safety, emphasising the importance of foreseeability. He pointed out that integrating AI systems can help businesses address some of the more foreseeable risks more effectively.
Attendees were particularly impressed with the practical examples shared during the event, especially how inspiring it was to see real-world applications of SafetyTech, from AI-powered driver fatigue detection systems in lorries to exoskeletons that support manual handling tasks. These technologies not only improve safety but also have the potential to transform workplace culture by embedding safety more deeply into daily operations.
Moving forward, we plan to build on the success of this event by organising further discussions on key themes such as preventative AI, site visits to see AI in action, and strategies for selecting the right technology solutions. As Sebastian Corby from the SafetyTech Accelerator aptly stated during his talk, the key to success is to start with the problem, not the technology. It’s not about the availability of tech – it’s about finding the right fit for your specific challenges.
We’re excited to continue this conversation and look forward to exploring how AI and SafetyTech can be leveraged across various industries to create safer, smarter workplaces. A huge thank you to Danny McShee, George Emery, and all our speakers and attendees for making this event a great success. Let’s keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in safety performance!
Sam Tearne is a Consultant at Irwin and Colton focused on placing health and safety professionals into the FMCG Manufacturing and logistics industries. Contact Sam on 01923 963 651 or sam.tearne@irwinandcolton.com