• • • SAFETY IN ENGINEERING • • •
How AI and technology is creating a safer industry and what the future
holds for the safety of engineering By Dave Curry, Safety Manager, Salko UK
A
ccording to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) an estimated three million people worldwide die of work-related accidents and diseases every year
Nearly 18 per cent of the global workforce has experienced harm within the workplace over the past two years, a figure likely underrepresented due to the 49 per cent of incidents that go unreported. In engineering heavy sectors like construction, agriculture and mining, the risks are particularly pressing. Safety in engineering is vital and introducing new technologies to protect workers plays a key role in securing the future of the profession. Dave Curry discusses how AI and technology is shaping a safer industry, and what the future holds for the safety of engineering.
What is new for the safety
of engineering? The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 highlights a surge in demand for engineering-related roles, particularly those that combine expertise in AI, green technology and digital integration. Technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and AI are making human-machine interactions safer, whilst enabling real-time awareness and reducing risk during complex tasks. Despite these advancements, fatal accidents remain an issue. The safe adoption of emerging technologies will require a workforce with digital knowledge and the skills needed to deploy and work alongside these technologies. However, the sector faces a significant hurdle: a projected shortfall of one million engineers in the UK by 2030. The shortage of skilled workers has stemmed from various factors, including a large proportion of the workforce reaching retirement age and insufficient awareness of the educational routes into engineering. This talent gap not only affects productivity, it also poses a serious threat to workplace safety. Without a workforce equipped with the skills to implement and manage emerging safety technologies, the risk of accidents and health-related incidents in high-risk engineering environments increases substantially.
Despite these challenges, the engineering
industry is actively working to close the skills gap through targeted education initiatives, apprenticeship programs and collaboration. By investing in talent development and embracing innovative technologies, the sector is well-positioned to build a safer, smarter future for engineering.
28 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • JULY/AUGUST 2025
Creating a safe industry AI and technology are transforming safety in the engineering industry, helping prevent accidents, enhance situational awareness and reduce human error.
The Safety Shield, an AI-driven human-form recognition and collision avoidance system was designed to hugely improve safety around heavy machinery in engineering and manufacturing environments.
Using camera-based technology, the Safety Shield employs AI to detect people within the danger zones of moving equipment. This AI system is currently being installed on mobile cranes operated by Salko UK’s subcontractors at the Immingham site.
Unlike other collision avoidance solutions which can trigger frequent false alarms, the Safety Shield focuses exclusively on identifying human forms in the designated detection area. It alerts the operator only when there is an imminent risk of collision to ensure both heightened safety and operational efficiency.
Salko UK’s approach Salko UK is leading by example on the Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) power plant project in Immingham, adopting a hands-on, data-driven strategy to create a safe work place. On the Immingham project, Salko is implementing a rigorous, data-driven approach to safety that emphasises proactive risk management and active participation from everyone on site.
Salko’s role within the project is the construction of a new Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) facility at Immingham Power Station in North Lincolnshire. This facility is a vital part of the ‘Humber Zero’ initiative, aimed at delivering nearly a fifth of the UK Government’s 2030 carbon capture targets. Salko UK has mobilised a dedicated team of 74 specialists to deliver the core mechanical, electrical and rigging works, along with critical support in planning, quality management, pipefitting, electrical operations, lifting and environmental health and safety compliance. Site supervisors carry out continuous inspections, providing real-time oversight of safety performance. These observations are compiled into detailed weekly reports, which are shared with all team members to promote transparency, accountability and ongoing improvement. Central to this approach is worker driven safety, with emphasis on employee input to identify potential hazards and develop more effective control measures.
Looking ahead
Emerging technologies like real-time AI monitoring, digital twin simulations and predictive analytics will enable proactive risk management. These advancements will shift safety from a reactive practice to one that prevents hazards before they arise. Salko UK is committed to creating safe workplaces, where automation, data- driven insights and smarter engineering design inform a safer industry. To find out more about Salko UK’s recent work, please visit:
www.salko.co.uk/case-studies
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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