AI to enhance Occupational Health and Safety in Guyana – Labour Minister

As the Government seeks to implement Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the day-to-day operations of several key Ministries, the Labour Ministry’s Occupational Safety and Health Department (OSH) will be moving to utilise AI to bolster the local OSH landscape.
OSH month is observed throughout April in Guyana, with the Ministry leading initiatives to promote workplace safety and raise awareness about health standards across various sectors.
In observance of OSH month, a mini expo was hosted at the Ministry’s Brickdam Office on Tuesday.
The exhibition saw participation from ExxonMobil, Aurora Gold Mines, the National AIDS Programme Secretariat, Health Ministry among others.
This year’s Occupational Safety and Health Day, to be observed on April 28, will be themed “Revolutionising Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalisation at Work.”
Speaking at the exhibition, Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton revealed that his Ministry will be working to leverage AI to further bolster the local OSH landscape in alignment with international standards.
“According to the ILO (International Labour Organisation), the theme for Occupational Safety and Health in 2025 will focus on how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and digitalisation impact workers’ safety and health. In addition, the team will focus on technology as it specifically examines various new technologies through an occupational safety and health lens, inclusive of advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning and unmanned aerial vehicles. It will also shed light on new work practices such as automation of tasks, big data analysis, smart digital system, and workers’ management through AI.”
He added, ““It is also intended to look at how the digital transformation of work may support safe and healthy working environments and what Governments, employers, and workers, and other stakeholders are already doing to respond to these emerging challenges.”
However, Hamilton highlighted that it is important for employers and trade unions to play a role in ensuring that workplaces use technology without detracting from the workforce.
“While the Government needs, among other things, to invest in regulatory oversight, employers need to anticipate hazards before they materialise and create safer environments to reduce workers’ exposure to dangerous tasks. Trade unions also have a critical role to play in ensuring that technology enhances and does not replace the human element in the workforce,”
President of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Norris Witter and President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) Carvil Duncan agreed with the Minister’s sentiments that workplaces should not use technology to replace workers.
Moreover, the Minister also stressed the importance of stakeholders joining forces to combat workplace accidents and deaths.
“It is recognised as a responsibility that requires a collective approach whereby there is collaboration with the tripartite partners and key stakeholders to make the workplace safer and healthier. It is expected that the impact of this approach will lead to a decline in workplace accidents and in improvements in workplace safety and health practices. Specifically, the intent here is to develop a proactive rather than a reactive safety and health culture in the workplace.”
The use of AI in workplaces assists with achieving faster workflows and provides data analysis that can help identify challenges and reduce risks. The objective of workplace health and safety is to ensure that accidents and incidents are reduced or eliminated. Industries that utilise machinery are critical areas for these interventions, but there is also a need for a broader focus across all sectors.