Research conducted by the National Safety Council (NSC) shows how computer vision – artificial intelligence-paired camera technology and video analytics – can help enhance workplace safety.
NSC’s released the research paper, “Using Computer Vision as a Risk Mitigation Tool,” on Oct. 27 via its “Work to Zero” initiative.
“While computer vision is being adopted by more organizations, the benefits are not widely understood and used to their full potential,” NSC executive vice president of workplace practice Paul Vincent said. “This white paper highlights top research findings to make it easier for employers to leverage this technology to better identify root causes of workplace incidents and keep their employees safe on the job.”
Report show promising trends, some limitations
Researchers built on Work to Zero’s 2020 research to find several key technologies that could help mitigate hazardous workplace situations. The new report evaluated findings from several academic and industrial journals related to computer vision to see how it could identify risks across a variety of environments.
The report compiles case studies and interview data from previously published reports to outline promising trends and resources employers can use to more effectively prevent work-related injuries and deaths.
Some key findings from the research show that computer vision:
- is ideal for industries involving heavy machinery and extensive movement because of its ability to track and log data and instantly deploy this information to predict when an incident may occur
- is effective in identifying when PPE is being properly used and can help monitor fatigue and other impairing conditions when driving
- can be helpful in preventing workplace violence by detecting anomalies in the workplace, such as intruders, unusual behavior and weapons, and
- has applications that can improve workplace health by monitoring ill employees to determine the people and objects they’ve come in contact with.
Researchers also found some limitations with current computer vision technology, such as:
- image quality on closed-circuit televisions
- artificial intelligence software’s failure to operate effectively in unfamiliar settings
- high cost, and
- system security barriers.
