The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has released a white paper examining how AI in workplace safety is beginning to reshape the environmental, health, and safety profession, with early adopters already using artificial intelligence tools to improve safety reporting, risk identification, and workplace decision-making.
The report, titled AI and the Evolving Role of EHS Professionals, describes how organizations are integrating machine learning, automation, and data analytics into safety risk management efforts while emphasizing that human expertise remains essential for interpretation and oversight.
For laboratory environments, where hazard monitoring, regulatory compliance, and incident prevention are core operational priorities, the findings reflect broader trends toward digital transformation and predictive risk management.
Organizations are already using accessible AI tools to:
- Analyze incident and inspection data
- Automate documentation and reporting workflows
- Develop training materials and procedures
- Improve communication across teams
These applications can reduce administrative workload and allow EHS professionals to focus more on strategic safety initiatives.
From reactive response to predictive safety risk management
One of the most significant opportunities identified in the report is shifting safety programs from reactive incident response to proactive hazard prevention. Technologies such as machine learning algorithms, connected sensors, and video analytics can help organizations identify patterns and early warning indicators before incidents occur.
In laboratory settings, these capabilities could support monitoring of exposure conditions, equipment performance, and procedural compliance. Predictive insights may help managers identify emerging risks earlier and strengthen safety risk management programs before problems escalate.
EHS professionals remain central despite automation
The white paper stresses that artificial intelligence is not intended to replace safety professionals. Instead, it is expected to enhance decision-making by providing additional insights and analytical capabilities that support professional judgment.
“As part of ASSP’s AI strategy, we are laser-focused on how AI can help our members make their workplaces safer,” said Stephanie Johnson, CSP, CHMM, director-at-large and chair of the AI Task Force. “As AI becomes more integrated into safety professionals’ daily work, now is the moment for our profession to help shape its ethical, transparent, and responsible use.”
Maintaining trust, transparency, and accountability will require ongoing involvement from experienced EHS professionals as organizations adopt new technologies.
Strategic priorities for AI integration
To support adoption across the profession, ASSP identified five strategic focus areas:
- Strategic leadership
- AI competency development
- Research initiatives
- Trusted authority and guidance
- Ethical leadership
These priorities aim to help safety leaders evaluate tools responsibly, build workforce skills, and maintain professional leadership as technology capabilities evolve.
Implications for laboratory leaders
For laboratory managers and safety leaders, the report highlights several potential applications:
- Automating compliance documentation and reporting
- Enhancing hazard monitoring through data analytics
- Identifying leading indicators of safety risks
- Improving training delivery and accessibility
- Supporting proactive safety culture development
As laboratories continue adopting digital technologies, AI in workplace safety may become an increasingly important component of modern safety risk management programs, particularly in environments with complex hazards and regulatory requirements.
This article was created with the assistance of Generative AI and has undergone editorial review before publishing.
