As AI tools become more and more prevalent in workplaces, academic institutions, and personal settings, it is important to step back and think about the implications for the safety professional, especially how AI usage might intersect with professional ethics such as the BCRSP's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
As CRSP or CRST certified professionals begin to experiment, and implement the usage of AI in the course of their professional work here are some key elements to think about:
AI is a tool, not a professional
AI cannot replace the professional judgement, contextual awareness, or reasoning that you possess. AI may inform your work but must not replace the accountability that the safety professional holds for any advice or decisions given.
Professional judgement must remain visible.
AI likes to please, and in doing so may create 'hallucinations' such as fake citations, or false information. Safety professionals must critically assess AI-generated outputs; verify facts, sources, and assumptions; and apply context that AI is not able to.
Protect confidentiality and data.
Safety professionals should be aware of what data they are using in any AI interface and avoid confidential, proprietary, or personal information being shared into public or unapproved AI tools. It is likely that your organization will have policies and procedures that need to be adhered to. Always think about what information is being shared and whether there is any risk of breaching confidentiality or data protection regulations.
Transparency
Safety professionals should consider when it is appropriate to disclose that AI has been utilized. BCRSP recently introduced disclosure statements for applicants and CPD submissions to support this need for transparency.
Ethical Obligations Still Apply
The use of AI does not change a CRSP or CRST certified professional's ethical responsibilities. When we think about the BCRSP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct clauses, here is an example of how it intersects.
Scenario:
You are asked for workplace advice on a specific workplace hazard that you have not had experience with before. You ask your AI agent for information on how to control the hazard and supporting policy documentation. Your AI agent provides information to you, and you think it looks rather good, but it turns out the information was incomplete which you only discovered several weeks later after the documentation had been shared within your organization.
As you are not experienced with the hazard, how are you judging the response that the AI agent generated? The applicable BCRSP code of ethics clause is: Recognize limitations and perform only those services that may be managed competently based on one’s training and experience. AI does not magically expand your scope of practice, you still need to avoid overstepping into an area that you do not have the knowledge, skills, or abilities to practice within.
Ongoing Continuous Development
Under the BCRSPs Code of Ethics, CRSP and CRST certified safety professionals have an obligation to continue development throughout their career and support and encourage fellow certificants to develop skills, knowledge, and abilities. Professional development around AI literacy is becoming essential for people in many professions. You do not have to be an AI expert, however becoming informed so you can decide when it is appropriate to use AI, when it is not, and how to use it responsibly within established workplace policies or other professional guidelines is essential.
Here are some resources we have assembled to support further exploration of this topic.
The Role of AI in the Future of Work and Safety from ASSP
AI and the Evolving Role of EHS Professionals - from ASSP
Landscape of Artificial Intelligence Use for Occupational Health and Safety Practice in Two Canadian Provinces Research Article
Differences in firm-level AI use for health and safety - IWH Research
How to leverage AI and avoid the pitfalls - AWCBC
Frontier AI emerges as a new workplace hazard - COS Magazine
Disclosure: an AI agent was used to help generate ideas for this article.