Using AI to Assess Risk and Solve Problems in Manufacturing
As technologies continue to advance the way we work, the need to address the health and well-being of our workforce remains critical. The Future of Work and Industry 5.0 will require employees to work smarter and require manufacturers to closely examine the fit between workers, their work, and the workplace itself. Enter workplace ergonomics.
The connection between ergonomics and business performance is real and goes beyond reduced injuries and related costs. Research has proven its contributions to quality, employee engagement, productivity, and even stock performance and credit rating.
Fortunately, the days of paper-based, expert-led, observational ergonomics assessments have evolved into an easier, more accurate way to quickly assess jobs. Using AI-based sensorless motion-capture technology, data is generated through the video from an employee’s smartphone, and the emphasis can be placed where it belongs—on improving jobs.
This live webinar, presented by board-certified ergonomists, will discuss:
- Examples of how leading manufacturers are achieving success with AI & motion-capture technology
- The industrial worker in the context of Industry 5.0 and the Future of Work
- The business implications of ergonomics in manufacturing
- How new technologies can help to effectively perform root cause analysis & identify controls that more directly impact risk exposure
Speakers
Blake McGowan, M.Sc., CPE
Blake McGowan, Director of Ergonomics Research at VelocityEHS, leads the Ergonomics Research group to incorporate the latest technical and scientific data into the ergonomics software solutions. He also consults with academia to transfer current research knowledge into the company’s approach, systems, assessment methods, and guidelines.
Blake is also part of the Global Enterprise Account Executive team that focuses on acquiring new customers for VelocityEHS. He interacts with and presents to decision makers, including C-level executives, Safety, IT, Finance, and Operations in the sales process.
Blake received a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology (Biomechanics and Neurophysiology) and a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology (Human Neuromechanics) from the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario. Blake has achieved recognition as a Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE). He is a member of the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Musculoskeletal Health Cross-sector Council, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Physical Agents Committee, and Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES). Blake has been with the company for over 20 years.
Rick Barker, M.A., CPE, CSP
Rick Barker, Principal Solutions Strategist, Ergonomics for VelocityEHS, facilitates skill and knowledge-building activities for customers and internal staff relating to safety management systems, industrial ergonomics, human performance, and human factors. He assists clients in developing, implementing, evaluating, and improving their ergonomics and safety processes. Rick also supports the development of software products that empower users to improve their safety and ergonomics performance.
Since first joining VelocityEHS | Humantech in 1991, Rick has accumulated years of ergonomics and human factors consulting experience including a variety of positions with Hill-Rom. He also worked as an ergonomics engineer in product development at Unisys.
Rick holds a Master of Arts degree in Human Factors from the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. He served on the Board of Directors for the Association of Safe Patient Handling Professionals and led the professional certification process for that organization. He has achieved recognition as a Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE) and Certified Safety Professional (CSP).
