Just days after we reported on the Victorian government announcement of laws to regulate the use of AI in the workplace and the Federal Government release of a national AI plan incorporating safety duties for AI companies, Safe Work Australia (SWA) has released new guidance for employers on managing the OHS risks associated with the introduction and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies to their workplaces.
SWA’s guidance identifies a number of physical and psychological hazards that can arise when introducing AI and digital technologies, including low job demands, work intensification, excessive surveillance, fatigue, unfair or discriminatory decision making. AI technologies can create new hazards or enhance existing ones when "not appropriately designed, implemented and managed".
Employers are advised that when introducing and using AI and digital technologies in the workplace, they must manage the associated OHS risks in the same way they would any other OHS risk - they must eliminate the risks, or if that is not reasonably practicable, minimise the risks so far as is reasonably practicable by implementing control measures.
The guidance also details examples of controls that employers might consider, including:
- choosing software and tools that prioritise safety (e.g. using rostering software which notifies when work is likely to induce fatigue)
- ensuring the design of automating systems or processes avoids work intensification, for example, by allowing workers to alter the pace of work, change tasks or pause work to take breaks as needed
- engaging IT and OHS expertise to advise on solutions that prioritise safety and consulting with workers
- using digital technologies which are designed to have settings/ options which prioritise health and safety
- Implementing human oversight and audits to ensure technology is working as planned
- Developing policies and procedures for the use of the digital technology at work, supported by training and supervision
As always, we recommend seeking your union’s support and guidance when consulting with your employer about the implementation AI or digital technologies in your workplace.
Although SWA guidance is not binding in workplaces governed by the Victorian OHS Act, it can provide very useful advice and information on the use of AI and digital technologies in workplaces and forms part of the state of knowledge around these risks. The information in the SWA guidance is consistent with VTHC advocacy in this area. You can learn more about this topic at our OHS Reps website:
· Watch the video of speakers at out HSR Conference 2025 Reps Against the Machine - OHS Reps
· Digital Work Systems Tool - OHS Reps
· VTHC Digital Work Systems Standard
Read more: Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies | Safe Work Australia