IOSH podcast

Artificial intelligence is increasingly influencing decisions in the workplace, from identifying risks and analysing incidents to recommending actions that could affect workers' safety. But what happens when the technology makes a mistake? And who is accountable when the consequences are serious?

In the final episode of this special IOSH Podcast series, sponsored by safety and sustainability software provider EcoOnline, IOSH president Richard Bate is joined once again by AI advocate Cam Stevens and technology critic Cory Doctorow to explore the questions that become impossible to ignore as AI takes on a greater role in workplace safety.

Together, they debate responsibility, accountability and trust in an age of machine-assisted decision-making. From fatal incidents and system failures to concerns about job displacement and professional judgement, the discussion examines whether organisations can keep pace with the rapid development of AI and what safeguards are needed when technology becomes part of critical safety decisions.

The episode also looks ahead to the future of the profession, asking what skills safety and health professionals will need in an AI-enabled world, which decisions should always remain in human hands, and whether technology has the potential to make work more human – or less.

As the series concludes, one question sits at the heart of the conversation: when AI gets it wrong, who takes responsibility?

In this episode of the IOSH Podcast, sponsored by safety and sustainability software provider EcoOnline, Richard Bate is joined by AI advocate Cam Stevens and technology critic Cory Doctorow to explore one of the most controversial questions facing the profession: where is the line between keeping people safe and keeping them under surveillance?
The discussion examines workplace monitoring, privacy, trust, bias in AI systems and the growing influence of algorithms on decision-making. As AI takes on a bigger role in risk assessments, incident investigations and worker monitoring, the conversation asks whether these technologies will empower safety professionals, undermine professional judgement, or fundamentally reshape the relationship between employers and workers.
Can AI deliver safer workplaces without sacrificing trust and autonomy? Or are safety and surveillance becoming increasingly difficult to separate?

In the first episode of this new series, sponsored by safety and sustainability software provider EcoOnline, IOSH president Richard Bate is joined by AI advocate Cam Stevens and technology critic Cory Doctorow for a thought-provoking debate on the future of AI in occupational safety and health. 

Together, they explore whether AI can genuinely improve safety outcomes, the dangers of over-reliance on technology, the growing tension between protection and surveillance, and who we should trust when human judgement and machine intelligence disagree.

This episode focuses on the role of soft and transferable skills in health and safety, particularly for those navigating a move into a new industry. IOSH Future Leaders Jenny Storeham and Konstantinos Mermigkas explain that while technical knowledge is important, much of the role relies on listening, communication, and building trust. Their key message is reassuring: you don’t need to know everything on day one – your existing skills and mindset are what enable you to succeed.

IOSH president Richard Bate on how generational change is redefining communication and wellbeing in health and safety – from the analogue era to the age of AI. 

In this episode we catch up with IOSH President Richard Bate to explore the evolving landscape of agricultural safety – from unique farm hazards and the role of technology to the wider wellbeing and cultural shifts needed across rural communities.

In the first episode of a three-part series, we get to know IOSH president Richard Bate. From two decades on the front line to touring with The Chemical Brothers, this is a story you might not expect.

We sit down with Ruth Boumphrey, IOSH's chair of the board of trustees (IOSH), to explore her vision for the future of workplace health and safety. With a distinguished career spanning science, engineering and leadership – including her role as chief executive of Lloyd’s Register Foundation – Ruth brings a unique, evidence-based perspective to shaping safer, healthier, and more sustainable working environments across the globe. She shares her insights on the evolving world of work, the opportunities and challenges facing safety professionals today, and how IOSH can harness innovation and collaboration to create lasting impact for workers everywhere.

IOSH Future Leaders Julianne Shine and Tom Goddard tell us about their personal journeys into OSH: the challenges, surprises, and the opportunities for anyone thinking about working in this field.

Dr Chris Davis, IOSH's thought leadership manager, shares his insights from the World Expo on Safety, Health, and Wellbeing in Osaka – exploring global perspectives, the rapid rise of technology, the future of OSH metrics, and IOSH’s role on the world stage.