Industrial Safety: A Political, Economic, and Technological Imperative
Industrial safety is no longer just a social issue—it has become both a political and economic concern. Until now, companies have invested heavily in consumer satisfaction and user experience, but competition among businesses is increasingly shifting toward employee satisfaction. After the pandemic, employees have realized that their life and safety are more important than salary or benefits. As a result, ensuring employment stability now requires prioritizing employee health and safety, even more than maintaining smooth labor relations.
The concept of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is no longer unfamiliar to us. However, while ESG remains broad in scope, an excessive focus on corporate social responsibility and transparency can inadvertently lead to increased political influence of corporations and external interference in business management. For those of us who have experienced an unprecedented global pandemic, a more urgent and pragmatic approach is EHS—Environment, Health, and Safety—as a foundation for sustainability. Sustainability is critical for both nations and businesses, yet there is a tendency to equate it solely with environmental considerations. Health and safety, however, are immediate concerns for employees and customers alike, making them indispensable for corporate sustainability.
The Impact of Korea’s Serious Accidents Punishment Act
Korean companies have another compelling reason to invest in employee health and safety: the Serious Accidents Punishment Act. Officially titled the "Act on Punishment for Serious Accidents," this law was recently extended to cover workplaces with 5–49 employees as of January 27.
Both supporters and critics of the law agree that legislation alone is insufficient. South Korea has long had strict industrial safety laws, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act. However, the question remains whether even stricter laws can effectively resolve real-world safety issues.
AI, Especially Vision AI, as a Solution for Industrial Safety
One proposed solution for industrial accidents is artificial intelligence, particularly Vision AI. While some Korean companies claim to use Vision AI to enhance workplace safety, many of these solutions amount to little more than superficial AI implementations. For example, some systems claim to analyze CCTV footage with AI to assess risk levels, but there is skepticism regarding their ability to perform true preventive functions. The essence of deep learning AI is not post-incident tracking but proactive prevention.
A common misconception is that simply applying “bounding boxes” (object detection markers) to workplace hazards will effectively prevent accidents. In Vision AI, a bounding box is a rectangular marker used to denote the spatial location of an object. However, merely identifying the presence of safety equipment, such as helmets and vests, does not equate to accident prevention.
For AI-driven safety solutions to be effective, they must:
Detect whether employees are wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE) in real time.
Identify specific individuals who are non-compliant and issue immediate warnings.
Notify employees through speakers or other alerts while balancing workplace atmosphere and privacy concerns.
Function effectively in dynamic environments, recognizing violations and preventing accidents before they occur.
Emergency Response and AI’s Role in Securing the “Golden Time”
Beyond accident prevention, rapid emergency response is crucial. The speed at which first aid is administered and how quickly an injured worker reaches the hospital can determine survival and long-term recovery. AI-driven systems must be able to detect accidents in real time and automatically trigger an SOS call to ensure swift emergency response.
Similarly, AI can enhance fire detection. Traditional smoke detectors often fail in facilities with high ceilings and large floor areas, detecting fires only after significant spread. In warehouses, where highly flammable materials are stored, fires can escalate rapidly, leading to catastrophic casualties. By leveraging AI-enabled cameras capable of real-time flame detection, we can prevent large-scale fires and minimize human casualties.
Addressing Safety in Construction Sites
Industrial safety is particularly crucial in construction sites, where accidents are alarmingly frequent. More than 400 fatalities occur annually in South Korea’s construction sector, accounting for over half of all workplace accident deaths. The leading causes include falls, collisions, and entrapments. Vision AI is particularly vital in this sector.
The role of Vision AI in construction safety includes:
Ensuring workers wear appropriate PPE.
Detecting unauthorized access to hazardous zones.
Monitoring heavy machinery for operational safety.
Triggering emergency alerts and dispatching medical personnel in case of accidents.
However, construction sites pose unique challenges, including vast open spaces, multi-level work zones, and a mix of indoor and outdoor environments. The complexity of movement patterns, such as vehicles navigating different work zones, also adds to the difficulty of implementing AI-driven safety measures.
The Need for AI-Driven Training and Predictive Analytics
Education is another key aspect of industrial safety. Traditionally, safety training has relied on past experiences, but AI can introduce data-driven visualization and predictive analytics. Vision AI requires a large number of camera sensors, so strategically placing them in high-risk areas is necessary. Given cost constraints, AI’s ability to analyze and predict accidents is indispensable.
The Economics of AI-Driven Safety Solutions
The relationship between AI-powered safety and cost efficiency is a critical consideration. Implementing Vision AI and Edge AI requires investment in hardware, raising concerns about financial feasibility. While selective implementation in high-risk areas may offer a partial solution, a more sustainable approach involves multi-functionality.
For example, instead of deploying AI solely for safety, integrating quarantine, security, and safety (QSS) functions into a unified AI system can maximize efficiency. MAILab’s QSS AI solution is a prime example of this approach, transitioning from narrow AI with a single function to general AI capable of handling multiple safety-related tasks.
Conclusion
Industrial safety cannot be resolved through laws, cultural shifts, or awareness alone. AI has already become an integral part of our daily lives, and the challenge now is to ensure that cutting-edge safety technologies are both effective and cost-efficient, motivating businesses and governments to adopt them proactively.
Beyond addressing workplace accidents, embracing AI-driven safety solutions accelerates our transition into an AI-powered era. Businesses have a historical responsibility not only to enhance workplace safety but also to drive technological advancement that benefits society as a whole.
About the author Dr. Phil Yang: Chairman of CKT Group; CEO of MAILab; China Qingdao Municipal Government Economic Ambassador; Advisor, Tsinghua University Foundation, China; Adjunct Professor, Tsinghua University, China; International President of Jilin Vocational University, China; New York State University, Korea Branch, Chair Professor; Director, Konkuk University's Chinese Enterprise Research Institute.
MAILab www.mailab.co.kr: MAILab commercializes AI solutions for quarantine, security and safety with QSS integrated solution based on its own engine i2Brain, Vision AI Framework, MEGA Image AI Platform, and MEGA Industrial AI Platform through engineering and marketing organizations in the United States, Canada, China and India. MAILab offers Industrial AI such as QSS Integrated Solution, Medical AI such as congenital heart disease algorithm, Logistic AI such as Robotic AI Fulfillment Service, Beauty AI for sales and production of skin care and makeup products.
Contact Us: sryoo@ckt21.com
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