AI and Digitalization Can Boost Workplace Safety and Health -NSITF MD

By Chinedu Echianu

Managing Director of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, (NSITF), Barrister Oluwaseun Faleye has advocated the adoption of Artificial Intelligence also known as AI and Digitalization in ensuring workers safety in Nigeria.

Speaking in Abuja at the Occupational Safety and Health Forum in commemoration of the World Day of Safety and Health organized by the Fund, Barrister Faleye, advised that while embracing technology, care should be taken not to forget the core objectives that drive safety and health in the workplace.

Barrister Faleye also said AI would introduce innovations in workplace safety with prediction, prevention and protection revolutionised, which will in turn, promote safety and health in the workplace.

The MD emphasized the need for continuous learning and adaptation, investing in training and education to ensure workers are proficient in utilising the necessary tools.

He reiterated the need to ensure that appropriate compliance ethics and proper safeguards are put in place while adopting the use of AI.

Faleye thanked the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) for its continued support and
Commended the organising team for putting in their best. He said the idea of AI as focal point is timely and pivotal in reshaping safety in workplaces.

Earlier, while welcoming participants to the event, Executive Director Operations of NSITF, Mrs. Mojisolaoluwa Alli-Macaulay, said the event was a gathering of experts, practitioners and stakeholders to brainstorm on the best practices and challenges in adoption of AI and Digitalization for safety and workers well-being.

She further summed up the aim as equipping Occupational Safety and Health professionals with the required knowledge and skill to tap into AI and Digitalization, as well as tackle its challenges for a safer and healthier workplace in Nigeria.

In his goodwill message, DG NECA, Mr. Smart Oyerinde lamented that workplace environment in Nigeria is not in the best of state. According to him he saw the event as an opportunity to restate commitment to workers’ safety and deepen partnership among stakeholders.

He reinstated NECA’s commitment to safer and healthier work environment for the Nigeria workers, revealing ongoing free training in this regard.

Also in a goodwill message, Honourable David ldris Zakarias, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standard, lauded the NSITF MD for his courage and doggedness in improving the Fund.

He asserted that AI had potentials to transform the way hazards are  monitored and responded to.

The Committee Chairman advocated a worker centred approach saying, “Behind every tool and innovation are humans. An innovation can only be measured in the form of the lives it actually protects.”

He concluded his remarks by affirming that the House remained steadfast in its collective pursuit of safety in the workplace.

The forum which has the theme, Revolutionising Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalization at Work, was put together by the HSE Department of the Fund, to explore the issues around introduction of AI and Digitalization and their roles in ensuring workers safety and health.

The event had in attendance members of the National Assembly including, the representatives of the Senate Committee Chairman.