WASHINGTON — More employers are using artificial intelligence in workplace safety programs, but balance and concerns about over-reliance need to be part of the conversation, according to a new report.
For The Safety Shift: The State of EHS Readiness in 2026, the National Safety Council and Wolters Kluwer Enablon surveyed approximately 1,100 safety leaders about their views on AI and the environment, health, and safety. Advanced analytics and digitization. and the future of safety professionals.
Approximately 20% of respondents reported using AI extensively for EHS applications such as hazard identification, incident prediction, and compliance, while 62% said they use AI moderately or limitedly. Meanwhile, 11% said they are fully digital, and 71% operate in a hybrid environment that combines digital and manual workflows.
Most respondents (90%) say they are concerned about the impact of using AI, including 65% who feel that over-reliance on AI is a major risk. The report recommends that AI be “positioned not as a decision-making authority, but as a tool that enables expert judgment and supports decision-making.”
It continues: “It appears essential to uphold human accountability and responsibility in EHS performance and decision-making.”
Other findings:
- More than 80% of respondents believe their organization is mostly or completely ready to adopt AI, with 42% saying they are completely ready.
- “Enhanced ability to predict and prevent incidents” is the main perceived benefit of AI in EHS, with 30% of respondents agreeing. This was followed by “Improving efficiency in reporting and compliance,” which was agreed upon by 26%.
“Digital tools and AI are becoming more commonly incorporated into workplace safety programs,” said Jay Vietas, NSC senior director of research. “But our findings show that organizations are still grappling with connecting systems, improving data quality, and balancing operational responsibilities with emerging risks.”
“Effectively implementing these principles will help EHS professionals make their workplaces safer in the years to come.”
Raj Jayaraman, vice president of product management at Wolters Kluwer Enablon, adds that while “organizations have made meaningful progress in digitizing fundamental safety processes,” the findings confirm that “technology alone is not enough.”
Wolters Kluwer Enablon provides information, software and services to professionals in various fields.
