Worker impact of AI safety monitoring
2025-hsc-se-q24 · Short Answer · 5 marks
Source: NESA 2025 HSC Software Engineering HSC Q24
Question
A construction company introduces a safety monitoring system that uses artificial intelligence. Cameras and wearable sensors track worker movements and environmental conditions. The system detects unsafe behaviours through artificial intelligence, such as:
- standing too close to operating machinery
- entering restricted zones
- failure to wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
Alerts are sent in real-time to site supervisors, and long-term data is stored for further analysis.
Discuss the possible impact of this monitoring system on workers.
Reveal answer
The system could improve worker safety by detecting hazards quickly and alerting supervisors before injuries occur. Long-term data could also identify patterns that help improve training or site procedures.
However, workers may feel constantly watched, which can reduce trust and morale. Stored movement and behaviour data raises privacy concerns, especially if it is used for discipline beyond safety. False alerts or biased detection could unfairly target some workers or interrupt work unnecessarily.
Marking rubric
| Marks | Description |
|---|---|
| 5 | Discusses positive and negative impacts on workers with clear links to the monitoring system. |
| 4 | Explains several relevant impacts on workers. |
| 3 | Describes relevant positive and/or negative impacts. |
| 2 | Identifies relevant impacts with limited discussion. |
| 1 | Provides some relevant information about AI monitoring. |
Explanation
A strong discussion balances safety benefits with privacy, autonomy, trust, data use and potential false or unfair detections.
Metadata
- Submitter
- Seed data
- Created
- 2026-05-02
- Status
- published
- Syllabus
- y12-auto-impact-of-automation y12-secure-social-ethical-legal-issues
- Tags
- AI monitoring workplace safety social impact ethical issues