EHS leaders are at a tipping point. Workforce issues, driven by rising turnover, skills shortages and growing responsibilities, have made it more challenging than ever to maintain strong safety performance. At the same time, evolving regulations and mounting operational pressures are stretching teams thin, forcing safety to take a backseat.

Benchmark Gensuite’s 2025 EHS Benchmarking Report underscores the urgency of this issue: Over half of EHS executives report that injury frequency and severity have either remained stagnant or worsened over the past year, highlighting the urgent need for change.

Artificial intelligence (AI) solutions provide a practical and exciting opportunity to overcome these hurdles head-on. By continuously monitoring and analyzing vast amounts of data, AI empowers EHS leaders to identify and address the risks with the highest potential for harm.

When combined with enhanced training and a stronger safety culture, these data-driven insights enable organizations to transition from reactive safety management to a proactive, preventative approach. The result? A more resilient, empowered workforce and measurable improvements in safety performance.

Leveraging AI: The Game-Changer for EHS Teams

According to our benchmarking report, over half of EHS leaders struggle to implement critical safety improvements, with 58% still relying on legacy methods like spreadsheets. This reliance on outdated systems makes it difficult to manage risks effectively, leaving organizations vulnerable to safety issues and incidents.

Another alarming issue contributing to the lack of progress is underreporting. Our report found 79% of EHS professionals believe that accidents, hazards and near misses go unreported; furthermore, 31% suspect that at least one-quarter of employees may not be reporting incidents at all. Without accurate data, organizations cannot fully understand their risk landscape or take proactive steps to prevent injuries.

Emerging technologies, including AI-powered real-time monitoring systems, wearable technology and mobile safety apps, offer a clear solution by bridging reporting gaps and enhancing visibility into workplace risks. These tools can track employee movements, monitor environmental conditions and send immediate alerts when unsafe behaviors or hazardous situations arise.

By collecting and analyzing real-time data, AI systems enable EHS teams to identify trends, improve safety protocols and workflows, and act before incidents occur. Additionally, AI-powered reporting tools can remove barriers to incident reporting by simplifying data entry, providing real-time prompts and enabling employees to report concerns effortlessly via mobile apps.

Beyond safety management, advanced technology is transforming employee training programs. EHS teams are increasingly adopting digital training tools, such as online courses and interactive learning experiences. These platforms allow new employees to quickly gain essential knowledge while also improving long-term knowledge retention.

For instance, if a worker demonstrates unsafe behavior, AI can flag it and suggest corrective actions, ensuring timely intervention. This proactive approach detects issues and strengthens adherence to protocols, creating a safer and more responsive work environment. By offering on-demand, engaging training that caters to various learning styles, AI-driven platforms can ensure that workforce training is both personalized and effective, preparing employees to respond to safety challenges.

The integration of predictive analytics further enhances these efforts. Building on real-time monitoring and centralized data, predictive AI tools forecast risks before they lead to incidents. By analyzing patterns in employee behavior, environmental conditions and historical data, predictive models can pinpoint vulnerabilities and recommend preventive actions.

Our report found 59% of organizations are confident that generative AI can help predict and prevent injuries, and over half of organizations are investing in AI-driven solutions in 2025. This proactive approach will not only help EHS leaders stay ahead of risks but also allow them to mitigate problems before they escalate, shifting safety from a reactive process to a continuously evolving, data-driven strategy.

Cultivating a Strong Safety Culture Through Leadership

While technology plays a pivotal role in improving workplace safety, creating a strong safety culture requires embedding safety into the fabric of the organization.

Leadership is paramount in driving cultural change, and today’s EHS leaders must take a proactive, top-down approach to build safety awareness at every level. Our report found 67% of EHS leaders emphasize the importance of executive buy-in to drive safety initiatives forward. By involving senior leaders in safety efforts, organizations can demonstrate that safety is a core value, not just an afterthought.

A strong safety culture encourages open dialogue and feedback loops, whereby workers on all levels feel comfortable reporting concerns without fear of retaliation. This culture of transparency and trust allows teams to tackle issues head-on and implement effective solutions. When employees feel supported and valued, they are more likely to engage in safety practices, leading to a safer and more productive workplace.

Cross-functional collaboration is also crucial in cultivating a safety culture. EHS leaders should work closely with other departments, including operations, HR and IT, to integrate safety initiatives into everyday workflows. By fostering collaboration between teams, organizations can ensure that safety isn't siloed in one department but is a shared responsibility for the entire company.

Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

The challenges faced by EHS leaders today are not unique to any one industry. The obligation to keep workplaces safe is universal, whether in manufacturing, construction, retail or any other sector.

The key is to strike the right balance between advanced technology, leadership and culture. As companies continue to adapt, those that prioritize employee safety and engagement will emerge stronger and better equipped to face the future.

EHS leaders who act now to integrate digital tools, enhance training and cultivate a culture of safety will not only overcome workforce challenges but will also set themselves up for long-term success. With the right approach, the workplace of tomorrow can be a safer, more inclusive and more empowered environment for all employees.