The National Training and Productivity Centre (NTPC) is gearing up to host its most anticipated annual event, the Fiji Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Conference 2025, on the April 25, 2025 at the prestigious Sheraton Fiji Resort, Denarau. With the bold and timely theme, “Revolutionising Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalisation at Work”, this year’s conference promises to be a transformative gathering of regional and international thought leaders, safety professionals, and digital innovators in the field of occupational health and safety. In the 21st-century workplace, discussions around health and safety have evolved far beyond hard hats and hazard signs. Today, the focus includes algorithms, simulations, wearable sensors, and immersive training environments. As artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies redefine how we work, they are also reshaping how we protect, train, and support the workforce. This transformation is especially evident in the field of occupational health and safety (OHS), where traditional approaches are giving way to more innovative, tech-driven solutions.
The integration of AI and digitalisation into workplaces is creating environments that are safer, smarter, and more adaptive. Technologies such as virtual reality (VR) are revolutionising training, while AI-driven analytics identify risks before they escalate into accidents. These advancements signal a shift toward a safety culture that is predictive, personalised, and proactive. Although Fiji still has a long journey ahead, the hosting of conferences like this marks a positive step in the right direction.
Two key aspects of this shift are particularly noteworthy: the use of VR in OHS training, and the emerging challenges posed by increasingly digital and automated work environments.
Virtual Reality: Transforming OHS Training through Immersive Technology
TRAINING is the cornerstone of effective OHS systems. Traditional training methods such as classroom lectures, paper manuals, and even video tutorials often fail to fully prepare workers for high-risk, real-life situations. Virtual reality is changing that. By creating immersive, 3D simulations of real-world scenarios, VR allows employees to safely experience and practice responding to hazardous situations. Whether simulating fire evacuations, confined space entries, or heavy machinery operations, VR provides experiential learning that helps workers “learn by doing.”
The benefits of VR in safety training are substantial.
First, it offers a safe environment, where workers can experience high-pressure scenarios without actual exposure to harm, turning mistakes into learning opportunities rather than real accidents.
Secondly, VR boosts knowledge retention and engagement, as interactive experiences are more memorable than passive learning methods. Additionally, VR ensures standardised training, where every employee encounters the same conditions, promoting consistent safety practices across organisations. Though initial costs may be high, VR can be cost-effective over time by reducing the need for physical setups and travel. Moreover, VR platforms can offer immediate feedback, tracking user performance in real time.
Various industries around the world are already reaping these benefits. In construction, VR allows trainees to identify site hazards virtually. In manufacturing, it enables practice in emergency shutdowns and hazardous material handling. Moreover, the mining and oil and gas sectors use VR for rescue training and hazard recognition in high-risk settings. Even healthcare institutions are leveraging VR to simulate hospital scenarios, helping staff prepare for pandemics or biohazard situations. While countries like Australia have incorporated VR into national OHS strategies, Fiji and other Pacific nations are just beginning to explore its use, especially to address training gaps in remote areas.
AI and digitalisation: Addressing emerging OHS challenges
Despite its promise, digitalisation also introduces new risks that OHS professionals must address. These challenges stem from the same technologies that are intended to enhance safety and efficiency.
One major issue is the complexity of human-machine interactions. As automation and robotics become commonplace, workers now engage with intelligent machines daily whether it is autonomous warehouse vehicles or robotic arms on factory floors. These interactions come with new hazards, including the risk of collisions, stress caused by ambiguous roles between humans and AI, and diminished human oversight when over-reliance on automation sets in.
Data privacy and surveillance concerns also emerge. AI systems often depend on constant data collection from wearable sensors and monitoring tools. While useful for safety improvements, these practices can make workers feel monitored and distrusted, potentially leading to stress or backlash. It is critical for organisations to implement clear policies around data ethics, privacy, and consent to maintain trust.
More so, mental health is another area of concern. The digital workplace, especially in hybrid or remote settings, can blur the lines between personal and professional life. Excessive screen time, persistent notifications, and the pressure to be “always on” contribute to digital fatigue, anxiety, and burnout. As a result, OHS frameworks must expand to address psychosocial hazards, ergonomic risks, and mental wellbeing through supportive programs and digital balance strategies.
To add on, digital inclusion is also essential. Not all workers in Fiji have equal access to or familiarity with new technologies. Older employees, those in rural areas, or individuals with limited formal education may struggle to engage with AI systems. Inclusive training, user-friendly interfaces, and equitable access are necessary to prevent a digital divide in safety.
Finally, as OHS systems go digital, they become vulnerable to cyberattacks. A breach in a safety management system or tampering with automated safety protocols could have dire consequences. OHS teams must now collaborate closely with cybersecurity experts to assess digital risks, safeguard critical data, and ensure the integrity of AI-powered safety tools.
Bridging the gap: AI as a tool for
prediction and prevention
Despite these challenges, AI offers powerful opportunities to improve workplace safety. When implemented responsibly, it serves as a proactive partner in prevention, helping safety teams predict and prevent incidents before they occur.
AI can analyse historical incident data to forecast future risks. Smart personal protective equipment (PPE) can detect harmful gas levels or alert supervisors if a worker is immobile. Chatbots and virtual assistants offer immediate guidance on safety procedures, while AI-powered cameras identify unsafe behaviors like improper lifting or missing safety gear. These innovations shift safety management from a reactive to a proactive model, ultimately saving lives and resources.
Conclusion: Toward a safer digital workplace
The digital transformation of workplace safety is not some distant future. It is happening right now. From immersive VR modules to predictive AI tools, digitalisation is reshaping how we think about and manage health and safety. However, with these advancements come new responsibilities. It is imperative that employers, regulators, and workers work together to ensure that technology supports, rather than undermines, human wellbeing.
The key lies in striking a balance by embracing innovation while maintaining ethical standards, human-centered design, and inclusive practices. Only then can we build digital workplaces that are not just efficient, but also safe, supportive, and sustainable. As we move forward in this digital age, one truth remains clear: technology can enhance our capabilities, but it can never replace the fundamental need for care, empathy, and shared responsibility in keeping each other safe.
n VIKRANT KRISHAN NAIR is a lecturer at the Fiji National University working under Department of Aviation Studies. The views expressed are his and not of this newspaper. For comments or suggestions please email Vikrant.Nair@fnu.ac.fj or criznan@gmail.com .
