Technology is reshaping Australian workplaces faster than ever. AI‑powered tools, automated systems, robotics, drones, and digital workflow platforms are now common—even in small businesses and NFPs. While these technologies offer major productivity gains, they also bring new categories of OHS risks that employers must manage as part of their legal obligations. Businesses are expected to identify, assess and control all hazards just as they would traditional physical risks.

This article breaks down what these emerging risks look like, and how businesses can practically integrate technology risk management into their existing OHS Management Systems.

Let’s start off with a scenario demonstratinghow an unassessed technology risk could cause OHS Harm.

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A small business asked an administration staff member, Sam, to develop a new marketing brochure showcasing the organisation’s key employees. The business has no policy covering the use of AI or digital tools.

What Happened

To complete the brochure quickly, Sam entered the following employee information into a public AI tool (ChatGPT):

• Full names
• Photos
• Resumes
• Employment histories
• Personal details

No employee consent was obtained.

What Went Wrong

Because the AI tool was public and outside the organisation’s control:

• Personal information may be stored, processed, or reused by third parties.
• The business unintentionally breached privacy expectations.
• Employees experienced psychosocial risks stress, anxiety, fear and loss of trust when they learned their data had been uploaded without permission.

OHS Consequences

Employees experienced psychological harm (stress, distress, feeling unsafe, loss of control, loss of trust in management).

Why the Harm Occurred

The business failed to:

• Conduct a technology‑related WHS risk assessment
• Provide guidance on safe AI use
• Implement policies or procedures
• Train staff on privacy and digital‑safety obligations
• Consider the psychosocial risks of misusing personal data

Clear policies and training are essential.

Staff need to know:

• What tools are approved
• What data can and cannot be shared
• How to report digital safety concerns

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Now we are going to look at practicalities of managing these risks

1. What are Technology‑Driven OHS Risks?

As digital tools become embedded in day‑to‑day operations, they introduce both physical and psychosocial hazards, including:

AI‑related decision errors

AI systems may assign tasks, allocate workloads, or schedule work in ways that unintentionally create unsafe conditions—for example, excessive workloads, fatigue, or hazardous job allocations. Employers must maintain human oversight and ensure algorithmic decisions do not cause risk.

Automation and robotics hazards

Automated machinery, robotics, and drones carry physical risks such as collisions, malfunctions, and inadequate safety guarding. These systems also require new competencies for safe operation and maintenance.

Digital workload and monitoring risks

Digital workflow systems, productivity tracking tools, and remote‑work platforms can inadvertently create psychosocial hazards such as:

• Increased stress
• Work intensification
• Low role clarity
• Fear of constant monitoring

Psychosocial risks are now enforceable OHS concerns and must be controlled using the same diligence as physical hazards.

Unsafe digital workflows

Poorly designed digital systems can lead to communication failures, task duplication, missed safety steps, or fatigue from digital overload.

2. What Regulators Expect in 2026

Technology introduces OHS risks that must be formally managed.

Technology must be included in OHS risk assessments

Workplaces adopting AI, automation, or digital systems need to complete OHS risk assessments specifically addressing the safety implications of the technology. This includes:

• Identifying new hazards
• Assessing risks from use, misuse, or failure
• Documenting control measures

Clear safety responsibilities must be assigned

Employers should define accountability for technology oversight—including monitoring AI decisions, maintaining hardware, and ensuring safe digital workflows.

Human oversight is mandatory

Automation and AI cannot operate without appropriate human review. Businesses must demonstrate that humans remain in control of safety‑critical decisions.

Technology risks may interact with psychosocial hazards

The 2025–2026 reforms require all jurisdictions in Australia to manage psychosocial hazards—such as workload, stress, and low role clarity—just like physical risks. Digital systems can worsen these issues if not properly managed.

3. Practical Steps for Small Businesses and NFPs

You don’t need large budgets or specialist equipment to manage tech‑driven OHS risks effectively. Here’s a simple and practical roadmap, and a downloadable checklist:

Conduct a Technology‑Focused Risk Assessment

For each digital tool, ask:

• Does it change how work is done?
• Could it cause stress, confusion, overload, reduced job satisfaction or unsafe tasks?
• Does it replace tasks previously done by humans?
• What happens if it fails or makes an error?

Document the hazards and current controls in your existing OHSMS.

Apply the Hierarchy of Controls

Depending on the risk, consider:

• Elimination – Is the technology necessary?
• Substitution – Use a simpler, safer system.
• Engineering controls – Guarding, system limits, or automation constraints.
• Administrative controls – Policies, procedures, training, clear human oversight.

Establish Safe Digital Workflows

Map out:

• How digital tasks flow
• Who reviews AI decisions
• When humans intervene
• Escalation steps for errors or unexpected outputs

Update Policies and Provide Training

Ensure workers understand:

• How the technology works
• Their safety responsibilities
• Limits of automated systems
• How to report digital‑related hazards

Monitor for Psychosocial Impacts

Check whether the technology creates:

• Work overload (or the opposite – low job demands)
• Confusion
• Anxiety about monitoring
• Unrealistic productivity expectations

These must be documented and controlled under the new OHS frameworks.

4. Integrating Technology Risk into Your OHS Management System

Technology‑driven OHS risks should not be managed separately—they should sit within your standard OHSMS processes, including:

• Hazard identification
• Risk assessment
• Consultation with workers
• Incident reporting
• Policy and procedure updates
• Safety training
• Continuous improvement

This integration ensures technology risks are managed systematically, not reactively.

5. Looking Ahead

The rapid digitisation of workplaces means technology‑driven OHS risks will continue to evolve. AI systems will become more capable, automation more widespread, and digital workflows more complex.

Regulators expect businesses—large and small—to be proactive, not reactive.

If your business is introducing new digital systems in 2026, now is the time to ensure your OHS Management System is equipped to manage the emerging risks.

ATTRIBUTION – this article was generated with the assistance of Co-Pilot