On World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the ILO Director-General calls to harness technology to create safer, healthier workplaces – while ensuring innovation protects workers' rights and well-being.
Today is the World Day for Safety and Health at Work.
Every worker, every way has the right to a safe and healthy working environment.
This is a fundamental right.
And yet millions of workers around the world continue to die or injured themselves or fall sick because of work.
Too many lose their lives trying to earn a living.
We must change this.
The use of technology for good can help us to make important strides.
Artificial intelligence and digital technologies can help transform the workplace into a safer and healthier space.
Robotics, automation and AI can operate in hazardous environments and take on the most dangerous tasks like operating in extreme temperatures, handling toxic materials, or navigating disaster zones.
They can also ease physical strain, supporting caregivers in hospital, assisting with heavy lifting in construction, and reducing repetitive work in factories.
Smart sensors and digital monitoring can detect risks before accidents happen by checking air quality tracking, fatigue or alerting to unsafe movement and behaviours.
But innovation can also carry significant risks.
The rise of worker surveillance and algorithm management can threaten workers rights, dignity, and well-being.
New technologies can also introduce new risks that are not yet fully understood.
We have a responsibility, irresponsibility to and that understand safety and health risks that come with technological innovation.
We have a responsibility to ensure that technology is used for good.
That is why the digital transition must be human-centred. It must make workplace safer and healthier and more sustainable and inclusive.
On this World Day for Safety and Health at Work.
I call on governments, employers, workers and innovators to build a future of work that is not only smarter, but also safer and healthier.
