Workplace safety is, and always has been, a priority in the logistics industry. From warehouse operators to freight depots, loading docks to transport hubs, keeping people safe is a daily concern.
While traditional approaches, training, procedures and compliance protocols have moved the sector forward, the reality is clear: risks remain.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), more than 2.3 million people die each year from work-related accidents or illnesses globally.
In the UK, 135 workers lost their lives in 2022/23, as reported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)—and the transportation and storage sector remains one of the highest risk categories.
We can’t afford to let our guard down. But what if there was a way to prevent incidents before they happen, without relying solely on human vigilance?
More Than Just Compliance
Ask most logistics leaders why workplace safety matters, and “compliance” will be near the top of the list.
Of course, meeting legal requirements and duty of care is essential. However, there’s a deeper reason this issue stays front of mind: the fundamental need to protect people—not just your employees, but also the many external individuals, visitors and contractors who interact with your site every day.
Consider, for example, the professional drivers who arrive to deliver or collect goods. It might be a hot day, they’ve been driving for hours, and they’re focused on getting to their next drop-off. They may not know your site-specific rules. They may not notice a sign. They may, without meaning to, step into danger.
The same goes for contractors or visitors unfamiliar with your safety procedures. Even well-trained staff can have a lapse in concentration and end up too close to a forklift path or stray into a high-risk zone.
And this is where the gap lies. For all the processes and training we implement, we’re still relying on people to be constantly alert. That’s just not realistic.
If You Had Unlimited Resources
Imagine if you could post a fully trained safety observer at every corner of your warehouse or yard, someone who never took a tea break, never looked at their phone, and never missed a potential hazard. It sounds ideal, but of course, it’s not practical.
However, thanks to advances in technology, something very close to that vision is becoming practical and cost-effective. I’m talking about AI-powered computer vision.
This isn’t science fiction, and it’s not the same as ChatGPT or other text-based AI models. It’s a specialised type of artificial intelligence that processes visual information in real time, like a human observer, but faster, more reliably, and without fatigue.
An Extra Set of Eyes—That Never Blinks
So, what does AI computer vision actually do? Put simply, it can monitor defined areas of your site—forklift lanes, pedestrian crossings, access gates, machinery zones—and flag unsafe activity instantly.
If someone enters a restricted zone, lingers too close to moving equipment, or behaves in a way that could escalate into an incident, the system knows—and it can notify safety personnel in milliseconds.
It’s not just about passive recording like a traditional CCTV setup. This is intelligent observation, capable of understanding context and applying business rules you define: "Trigger an alert if anyone stands within two metres of this conveyor belt during unloading hours." Or: "Notify security if someone crosses this yellow line outside of approved delivery times."
And because this technology doesn’t rely on wearable devices or mobile apps, it can monitor everyone on site—staff, visitors, subcontractors—with equal effectiveness.
Not a Replacement—But a Reinforcement
Some organisations are already exploring digital safety tools such as wearables that buzz when someone enters a danger zone, or mobile apps that track worker locations.
These are great steps forward, and we need all of them. But they tend to focus on internal teams, and rely on people wearing the right gear or checking their devices.
AI computer vision adds a missing piece. It’s always on, always aware, and doesn’t depend on the user to remember protocol.
It also works well with your existing cloud-based safety infrastructure, integrating with mobile alerts, access control systems, and dashboards to build a comprehensive safety ecosystem.
A Better Experience for the People Who Keep You Moving
Let’s return to the driver pulling up to your warehouse at the end of a long shift. If they know that your site is smooth, clearly marked, and actively monitored in a way that helps them stay safe, that has value. It enhances your reputation. It says: this is a company that takes professionalism—and people—seriously.
In an industry that’s increasingly defined by partnerships, performance, and accountability, that can be a differentiator. A safer site isn’t just better for your insurance premiums, it’s a better place to work with.
Putting a Guarantee Behind Your Safety Message
All of this builds toward one outcome: peace of mind. AI computer vision gives you more than just extra data points or video footage, it gives you real-time safety assurance. It helps move your organisation from reactive to proactive, from recording incidents to preventing them.
It also scales as your operation does. Whether you’re managing a single warehouse or a network of depots, these systems can be customised to suit your specific layout, traffic patterns, and operational hazards.
As AI continues to evolve, this particular application—practical, visual, focused—offers perhaps the most immediate benefit to physical logistics environments.
Safer Sites, Smarter Systems
AI computer vision isn't just about technology—it’s about culture. It shows your people, your partners and your visitors that safety isn't a tick-box exercise. It's an ongoing, intelligent commitment to keeping everyone secure.
In the fast-moving world of logistics, where time is money and complexity is the norm, having a system that can spot trouble before it becomes a problem could be the best investment you make in 2025 and beyond.
Paul Rapuano is Global Strategic Partnerships Manager at Rapid, a leading global workplace safety software company.