World Day for Health and Safety at Work 2025: Embracing AI to Protect Workers

A Global Reminder: Safe Work Should Be a Universal Right

Every April 28, we observe World Day for Health and Safety at Work — a critical opportunity to reflect on how we protect people in the workplace. For us at Aston Knight Solicitors, it’s not just a global observance; it’s a reaffirmation of the reason we advocate for injured workers every day.

Too many workers are still being injured, made ill, or even killed on the job due to preventable risks. This year’s theme gives us reason for optimism and urgency.

2025’s Theme: “Revolutionising Health and Safety: The Role of AI on Workers Safety and Health”

In 2025, the International Labour Organisation is shining a light on how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming workplace health and safety.

From smart sensors detecting hazards in real time to predictive analytics identifying patterns that could lead to injury, AI is already saving lives. But with innovation comes responsibility. As workplaces adopt new technologies, we must ensure they are implemented ethically, effectively, and with worker safety as the top priority.

Innovation Doesn’t Replace Accountability

While AI offers promising tools, it doesn’t excuse negligence.

We’ve seen cases where employers lean on technology as a substitute for proper training, supervision, or hazard mitigation — and that can be just as dangerous. AI should enhance human oversight, not replace it.

A Safe System of Work – Employer Duties and Key Case Law

The duty to provide a safe system of work is a cornerstone of employer responsibility and goes well beyond simply putting a policy in place — it includes making sure that the system is actually followed in practice.

This was outlined in Speed v Thomas Swift & Co [1943] KB 557, where a “safe system” was described to include the physical layout of the job, the sequence of tasks, proper warnings, and special instructions. A system may need to evolve as circumstances change.

Importantly, this duty is not fulfilled by paperwork alone. If a system exists on paper but isn’t followed in reality — for example, if staff ignore the procedures and management takes no action — the employer can still be held liable for injuries. Whilst the introduction of AI may help employers, for example, to generate a risk assessment it cannot ensure it is implemented and followed.

In McDermid v Nash Dredging [1987] AC 906, a ship-hand was injured due to the captain’s failure to follow a safety protocol. The House of Lords held that the employer’s duty to provide a safe system of work is non-delegable — meaning it cannot simply be passed off to another employee. Employers must take a “hands-on” approach to ensure systems are both in place and implemented.

A Word from Solicitor, Ayoub Khan

“AI can absolutely improve workplace safety — but it must be introduced with caution. We’ve already seen cases where automation replaces, rather than supports, essential human oversight. When that happens, workers can be left vulnerable. Our role is to make sure that innovation doesn’t come at the cost of accountability.”


While AI presents exciting new safety tools, it doesn’t eliminate the need for strong safety policies and employer accountability. In fact, new technology can introduce new risks — and when those risks aren’t properly managed, the consequences can be serious.

Whether your injury came from traditional workplace hazards or emerging technology failures, the law is clear: you have rights.

Moving Forward: Balancing Progress with Protection

The central legal question is whether the system of work is safe in itself, and whether the employer has taken reasonable steps to implement and enforce it. This duty is wide-ranging and cannot be delegated — even experienced employees or new technologies don’t replace the need for oversight.

AI should never replace compassion, safety culture, or legal responsibility. As we celebrate World Day for Health and Safety, let’s remember that technology must serve people — not the other way around.

At Aston Knight Solicitors, we know how tough life can get after a workplace accident. It’s not just about the injury — it’s the stress, the time off work, and the uncertainty that follows. That’s why we’re here: to help you make sense of it all and secure for you the compensation you deserve.

If you or someone close to you has been hurt at work, our friendly and experienced team is ready to guide you through the process and make things a little easier.