The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection is banking on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to reduce hazards at workplaces that lead to loss of lives and permanent disabilities.
Director of Occupational Safety and Health Services, Dr. Andrew Muruka, says by harnessing technology, the country is not only going to increase production but also minimize disasters that have been witnessed recently in the mechanized, construction and agricultural sectors.
“We have noted that AI and digitalization are critical in the most hazardous sectors of the economy and this includes construction, heavy machinery, manufacturing and agriculture sectors. These are the areas that require artificial intelligence so that we relieve the human workers’ burden associated with hazards in their line of work,” said Dr. Muruka.
Muruka was speaking in Nanyuki, Laikipia County, ahead of celebrations of this year’s World Day for Safety and Health on Monday, April 28, under the theme “Revolutionizing Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitization at Work.
Muruka said the National Occupational Safety and Health under the Ministry of Labour was keen on aligning the safety digital solution with the Work Injury Benefits Act of 2007 and any amendments to ensure legal compliance and strategic consistency.
“We would urge stakeholders, including government, the private sector and academia to deploy and ensure that they develop infrastructure for implementing AI and digitalization for the safety of workers in the country,” pointed out Dr. Muruka.
This year’s celebration will be the 20th one in the country and to mark the day, the organizers, which also involve the private sector, have come up with what has been dubbed the Nanyuki 20 Declaration, containing 13 recommendations geared towards making the workplaces safe.
“The Nanyuki 20 declaration is focusing on and harnessing expertise in various sectors to safely use artificial intelligence and digitalization to make our workplaces safe and all the implementations of such infrastructure are in compliance with the data protection act,” he said.
Among the declaration was a call to the government to prioritize funding for mental health at the workplace even in the advent of digitization, advancing research, innovation and data-driven occupational safety and health, strengthening occupational safety and health capacity and digital literacy; and public-private partnerships.
Laikipia County Commissioner Onesmus Kyatha reiterated the need for capacity building among the government workers on administering first aid as a move to reduce occupational hazards in the workplaces.
“Most people have forgotten the basics on how to administer first aid, which is very crucial. Government workers and Kenyans need capacity building aimed at addressing incidents when they happen at the homestead or even workplaces,” said the CC.
In the past one week, several activities have been held, including training of workers in both informal and informal sector on occupational safety and process of seeking compensation in cases injuries arising in workplaces
Various organizations drawn from across the country participated in First Aid competitions while hundreds of local residents also benefitted from a free medical camp organized by the Ministry of Labour and the Laikipia county government in partnership with the Safaricom Foundation.
Meanwhile, the World Day for Safety and Health National event will be commemorated in Nanyuki on Monday, where Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection Dr. Alfred Mutua will be the chief guest.
The CS will be accompanied by Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) secretary Dr. Francis Atwoli, Shadrack Mwadime who is the principal secretary in charge of Labour and skills development, among other dignitaries.
By Muturi Mwangi
