AIHA University Webinar: Keeping Pace With the AI Revolution: The Role of the OSH Professional

Earn 1 Contact Hour

Member $99 | Nonmember $125 | Student $25

AI is increasingly becoming part of many operations in the workplace. AI technology can make processes more efficient, organize work patterns more effectively, and identify hazards. AI can even identify patterns that enable OHS professionals to focus on specific worker practices that may be more likely to result in injury or illness. However, since AI systems will impact workers and work processes either directly or indirectly, it is important to acknowledge that there is always risk that any system may not operate as intended and may impact physical, chemical, biological, or even psychological exposures. Although not all AI-related systems are able to cause these types of exposures or harm, all systems will impact workers in some form or fashion.

This webinar will provide the IH community key concepts regarding the development and use of artificial intelligence in the workplace. The session will provide recommendations on how best to take advantage of the opportunities to improve worker health and safety while minimizing potential risks.

Learning Objectives

After this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Describe the features of artificial intelligent systems in current practice, including familiarization with terminology.
• Identify common uses of artificial intelligent systems in the workplace.
• List opportunities and challenges associated with use of these systems.
• Discuss risk management practices which can be used by OSH professionals.

Presenters

Jay Vietas, PhD, CIH, CSP
Jay Vietas is the Chief, Emerging Technologies in the Division of Sciences Integration at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. He leads a team of scientists in the study of emerging technologies on worker health and practical application of this knowledge. This includes research on the use of advanced materials, synthetic biology and biomanufacturing, and artificial intelligence. Additionally, he is responsible for leadership of NIOSH’s Nanotechnology Research Center and Future of Work Initiative.

Jay obtained his PhD from the University of Cincinnati in Environmental Health, graduate degrees in environmental health and engineering from Colorado State University, and an undergraduate degree in Chemistry from the United States Air Force Academy. Jay is a Certified Industrial Hygienist, a Certified Safety Professional and a member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association.

Houshang Darabi, PhD
Dr. Houshang Darabi holds a Ph.D. degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering. He is a professor with the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, and the Department of Computer Science at the University of Illinois Chicago. He has served as the Co-director of Occupational Safety program at the Great Lakes Center for Occupational Health and Safety (GLCOHS) since 2014. In 2021, Dr. Darabi led a team of researchers to create a framework titled Risk Evolution, Detection, Evaluation, and Control of Accidents (REDECA) and used it to perform a comprehensive review of AI/OHS literature. In this comprehensive literature review, two hundred and sixty AI papers across five sectors (oil and gas, mining, transportation, construction, and agriculture) were reviewed using the REDECA framework to highlight current applications and gaps in OHS and AI fields. In 2022, Dr. Darabi led efforts in collaboration with the GLCOHS Continuing Education (CE) program to develop the first course in the United States that was intended to train OHS industry professionals in AI. This course has been offered several times and has received very positive feedback from the attendees. Through this partnership Dr. Darabi has established an innovative laboratory dedicated to the advancement, exploration, and testing of AI-driven technologies for the enhancement of OHS practices.