The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has emphasised how artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a transformative role in revolutionising health and safety at work.

The Fund said by leveraging its capabilities in prediction, monitoring, automation and analysis, organisations could create safer, healthier and more efficient workplaces for their employees.

The NSITF’s Branch Manager, Epe, Francisca Offiong, said this at this year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work, where the branch held a walk to sensitise organisations on the importance of health and safety, urging them to ensure a healthy work culture and invest in safety technologies to protect their workers.

Speaking on this year’s theme ‘Revolutionising Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitisation at Work’, Effiong noted that workers’ safety and health should remain a top priority for every organisation.

According to her, as AI continues to evolve, its impact on occupational safety and health will only become more profound.

She listed the key roles of AI in revolutionising health and safety at work, which she said include: predictive hazard detection and risk analysis, real-time monitoring and intervention, automation of hazardous tasks and enhanced safety training as well as improved efficiency and productivity among others.

To ensure organisations give top priority to safety and health concerns, the NSITF boss added that the Fund is also partnering with companies to ensure standards are met.

Head, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), NSITF, Epe Branch, Nonso Akunna, said the aim of the walk which the Fund does yearly, was to sensitise the public and organisations on the importance of health and safety at work.

He said while AI is rapidly transforming health and safety practices across various industries, marking a significant revolution in how workplaces identify, assess, and manage risks, by leveraging its advanced capabilities, AI offers innovative solutions that enhance worker well-being, prevent accidents, and improve overall safety culture.

According to him, automation and smart monitoring system can reduce hazardous exposures, prevent injuries and improve overall working conditions.

Also, Head of Compliance, NSITF, Epe Branch, Uche Makoju, restated the role the NSITF is playing to ensure organisations invest more in health and safety for their workers, especially with the emergence of AI.

According to her, the future of work is safe and healthy, adding that AI is not the future but AI is now, as the NSITF has keyed into the transformative trend to enhance a better work environment.