A YouGov survey commissioned by the British Safety Council reveals that both employers and employees in the UK are optimistic about the impact of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) on their workplaces.
However, there remains uncertainty regarding the safety implications of these technologies. The survey, which included responses from 4018 UK employers and employees, was published on 16 July 2024.
The survey shows a notable difference in optimism levels between employers and employees regarding AI. While 63% of 2006 employers expressed optimism about AI’s impact on their workforce, only 41% of 2012 employees felt the same about its effect on their workplace. Despite this optimism, both employers and employees share concerns about safety. Approximately 26% of both groups believe that AI will make their workplace ‘less safe’, while the same percentage of employers and just 13% of employees think it will make their workplace ‘more safe’.
Perceived Risk of Job Replacement by AI
When asked about the likelihood of job replacement by AI within the next 10 years, 68% of employees consider it unlikely, with only 23% seeing it as a likely scenario. Among employers, 20% believe less than 10% of their workforce will be replaced by 2034, while 6% think that over 50% of their workforce could be replaced by AI.
Optimism about AR and VR is somewhat lower compared to AI. Among employers, 48% and 51% expressed optimism about AR and VR, respectively. In contrast, only 33% and 31% of employees were optimistic about these technologies. Opinions on the impact of AR and VR on workplace safety were also divided, with about half of both groups seeing ‘no change’.
Survey Highlights Need for Government Incentives and Support
Peter McGettrick, Chairman of the British Safety Council, emphasised the need for government incentives for companies investing in new technologies aimed at improving workplace health, safety, and wellbeing. He stated, “We commissioned this survey with YouGov to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the Health and Safety at Work Act and consider what lies ahead for health, safety and wellbeing in the coming half century. The findings show there is clearly more to be done to ensure that both employers and employees not just reap the benefits but are also given reassurance and support on some of the risks.”
The survey findings coincide with a roundtable discussion on the Future of Work, hosted by the British Safety Council on 8 July. The event, chaired by Nathan Baker, CEO of the Institute of Occupational Medicine, featured insights from experts in training, legal, technology, auditing, and trade union backgrounds. Participants included David Sharp, Founder and MD of International Workplace; Dee Arp, Chief Operating Officer of NEBOSH; Sean Elson, Partner at Pinsent Masons; Janet Newsham, Chair of the Hazards Campaign at Greater Manchester Hazards Centre; Peter McGettrick, Chairman of the British Safety Council; and Phil Pinnington, Head of Audit & Consultancy at British Safety Council.
The Legacy and Future of the Health and Safety at Work Act
Reflecting on the legacy of the Health and Safety at Work Act, Nathan Baker noted the significant improvements in workplace safety since 1974, including an 85% reduction in fatalities and a 77% decrease in non-fatal injuries by 2015. However, he highlighted ongoing challenges such as the rise in asbestos-related deaths and the substantial economic impact of ill health and injury, costing £20.7 billion annually.
Dee Arp acknowledged the Act’s contribution to a safer workplace but stressed the need for further progress, particularly regarding mental health issues. She said, “I always think whenever we mention statistics that for every one of those numbers, there’s a person, there’s a family and there are friends. In addition to that, there are all the mental health issues that we know are not significantly reported.”
Addressing New and Emerging Issues
Janet Newsham underscored the persistent issues related to hazardous substances and the growing mental health crisis. She said, “The Health and Safety at Work Act is fantastic and it’s done some really good things, but there are still more than 50,000 people dying each year because of work-related exposures to hazardous and toxic substances, and the ever-increasing mental health crisis that we’ve got.”
Phil Pinnington highlighted the evolving focus of health and safety from physical safety to broader aspects, including wellbeing and mental health. He remarked, “That’s continuing with wellbeing, mental health, stress management and I think things are moving in multiple directions, in a way that those who wrote the 1974 Act would never have thought about when they wrote it.”
Legal and Technological Perspectives
Sean Elson noted an increase in legal work related to mental and occupational health issues, including cases of student suicides. He pointed out, “Something we’re now doing regularly, that 10 years ago was unthinkable, is we’ve been instructed by a number of academic institutions and inquests in relation to student deaths by suicide, and that’s a very hot topic in that particular sector.”
David Sharp discussed the risks associated with emerging technologies, stating, “The risks now are different from the risks 20, 30 or 50 years ago. From my point of view, there’s a lack of awareness of the implications of where we are. I personally think we’ll probably look back in 10 years’ time on this moment and think we all went a little bit crazy, and that we were all trying to do too much, and we lost focus on the people at the expense of the technological solution.”
Dee Arp added, “In this fast-moving space, it goes right back to the people. How is AI helping people and what do we need to give people to help them embrace these huge, unprecedented changes? AI hasn’t got empathy, and it hasn’t got a conscience.”
