PCBUs have a duty under the WHS laws to protect the health and safety of workers while they are at work, and other people who may be affected by the work. PCBUs must eliminate or minimise both physical and psychosocial risks so far as is reasonably practicable. This means PCBUs must identify how AI and digital technologies they implement or use in the workplace might impact health and safety, and control risks as much as they reasonably can.
PCBUs also have a duty to consult, cooperate and coordinate activities with other PCBUs who have a WHS duty in relation to the same matter. For example, when considering the introduction of a new digital technology, a PCBU may need to consult with another PCBU involved in the same activity or who has a duty of care for the same worker.
PCBUs must also consult with workers, and their health and safety representatives, about work health or safety matters. This includes before introducing digital technology that may impact health and safety to help identify WHS risks and decide how to manage them.
There is also a need to consider how different hazards could interact and combine to change risks to workers. For example, workers in a customer-facing role may be exposed to risks from harmful behaviours when interacting with customers face to face. If the business introduces a social media account as another way to interact with or market to customers, the workers may face new and increased risks, such as harmful online comments and harassment.
In managing the risks of AI and digital technologies, PCBUs must provide any information, training, instruction or supervision to workers and other people that is necessary to protect their health and safety. This includes providing information about how the technology will be used in the workplace, ensuring workers are trained in how to safely use the technology, and providing genuine opportunities to ask questions or raise concerns.
Other people in the workplace, such as officers or workers, may also have WHS duties relating to the implementation and use of AI and digital technologies in the workplace.