AI Cameras in Safety: Is it your Brother’s Keeper or Big Brother?

In the ongoing drive towards zero incidents, technology has become an indispensable tool in keeping workers safe in the workplace. As the adoption of technology continues at an ever-increasing pace, concerns about privacy and surveillance have become increasingly loud – and for good reason.

However, when approached with transparency, responsibility, and a genuine commitment to safety, AI-powered cameras can emerge as our “Brothers’ Keepers,” rather than invoking the ominous specter of “Big Brother.”

This shift in perspective was underscored for us during a recent visit to a customer site. Our champion, a safety manager who had recently implemented the solution across multiple plant sites was puzzled by different safety outcomes and perceptions (big brother versus brothers’ keepers) across them. Upon further study, it was apparent the variation in outcomes could largely be attributed to the plant manager’s level of engagement and the existing safety culture at each of the plant sites.

In sites where management clearly communicated the safety objectives and best practices, and was transparent about what data would be collected by the company and how it would be used, the workers were not only accepting of the system but saw it as their brothers’ keepers and helped evangelize it across the organization and drive better safety outcomes. In the plant sites where the above was not true, the solution was met with skepticism and distrust, resulting in poor outcomes and workers perceiving the system more as a “big brother” and just another example of management watching over their shoulder and looking for excuses to ding them at the slightest excuse.

Working with the customer we found the following invaluable in transforming the perception of the workers, improving the safety culture, and realizing consistently better safety outcomes across all their facilities.

Fostering a Culture of Safety

The foundation of any successful AI camera implementation is built on a culture of safety within the organization. Without this, no technological solution, however powerful, can be successful. Open communication, trust, and a common safety purpose between all stakeholders are essential attributes of a vibrant safety culture that will help drive the adoption and ultimately success of any safety technological solution.

Clearly Articulating Safety Objectives

Management plays a pivotal role in clearly articulating safety objectives to be met by the AI camera system. In partnership with the workers, arriving at a collective understanding of what the system will do, what its boundaries are, and how its continued performance will be measured, helps workers grasp the positive intent behind the purpose of the deployment. It reinforces the idea that these cameras are not invasive tools but rather proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in the workplace.

Establishing Expected Practices

To build trust and ensure widespread engagement, organizations must establish expected work practices surrounding AI camera usage. This is best done in partnership with the actual workers doing the job – after all, they are the experts. This includes specifying where cameras will be placed, what events trigger their activation, and how the collected data will be utilized. Empowering the workers in developing these guidelines reassures workers that the technology is not intended for monitoring their daily activities but rather for addressing specific safety concerns.

Purpose-Limited Usage

The most critical aspect of ensuring AI cameras act as brothers' keepers is limiting their usage to their intended purpose. Clearly defining the scope and application of the technology prevents it from becoming a tool for intrusive surveillance.

It may often be tempting to use the cameras as new requirements/opportunities emerge. However great care and restraint, particularly when the video footage may be used for non-safety purposes, needs to be observed by the company to retain employee engagement, trust, and continued success of the deployed solution.

When employees understand that the cameras are solely focused on safety-related matters, privacy concerns are alleviated, fostering a sense of security rather than anxiety and helping them perform their jobs safely and productively.

Union Collaboration for Compliance and Monitoring

The role of unions is crucial in successfully implementing AI cameras for safety in the workplace. They play a pivotal role in shaping the culture of safety within an organization. Unions can act as active partners in driving compliance and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) related to safety. By involving unions in the decision-making process, companies can benefit from their expertise and insights, and they can actively engage with management to establish guidelines that safeguard workers' rights and privacy while leveraging the benefits of AI cameras. Moreover, empowering unions to own system derived KPIs related to safety, productivity, and worker well-being, and managing the infractions detected by the AI system helps cement the long-term sustainability and success of the solution.

Disciplinary Action and Accountability

Despite the best intentions, deviations from expected practices may occur from time to time. Using these infractions as teaching moments rather than opportunities for punitive actions is the best way to foster a culture of continuous learning. Gamification and regular review of past deviations among peer teams rather than escalating to supervisors can create an open and safe environment for individual development.

In some extreme cases disciplinary actions based on video review may be unavoidable. To address this, management should define a clear framework for disciplinary action in case of severe misuse. This ensures accountability and discourages any potential abuse of the system. Transparency about the consequences of violating policies helps maintain the integrity of the AI camera program and reinforces its role as a tool for collective well-being.

Conclusion

In conclusion, safety-based AI cameras are a valuable and indispensable tool in our journey to a zero-incident world. When approached with clear communication, specific and targeted monitoring, and collaboration with unions, these tools can transcend the stigma of being "Big Brother" and truly become our "Brothers’ Keepers." In doing so, companies can foster a culture where productivity, worker safety, and well-being coexist harmoniously.