EHS on Tap E278: Staying Ahead of Safety Risk with Technology
Jan 6, 2026
Join Jim Wetekamp, CEO of Riskonnect, a leader in risk-management software, as he dives into how technology and AI can revolutionize safety practices. He discusses the impact of OSHA backlogs on manufacturers and the necessity for continuous hazard monitoring. Jim reveals fascinating AI applications for hazard detection and near-miss analysis, and emphasizes the importance of integrating safety data with business continuity. He also outlines practical steps for adopting AI, urging organizations to break down silos for improved outcomes.
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Episode notes
Manufacturers Kept Safety Momentum
- Manufacturers largely kept safety programs running during the government shutdown and didn't pause hazard management.
- The bigger backlog impact was on OSHA's validation and contested enforcement processes, not on proactive manufacturers.
Regulation Changes Don't Remove Core Duties
- Businesses retain a general duty to provide safe workplaces regardless of regulatory swings.
- Operational hazard monitoring, root cause analysis, and corrective actions remain essential independent of enforcement levels.
AI Is Maturing Fast In EHS
- AI adoption in EHS focuses heavily on hazard detection and patterning from incident and near-miss data.
- Rich operational data makes moving AI from pilot to production happen quickly in safety contexts.