In November 2024, together with the B-A-D GmbH presented a ground-breaking innovation in the field of occupational safety. At this year's trade fair Occupational safety news we presented a globally unique method for carrying out risk assessments (GBU). This innovation marks a paradigm shift: from a one-off measurement tool to a work-related health intervention that not only improves occupational safety, but also supports workplace health promotion. In this article, you can find out how this development came about, what potential it harbours and how the new solution actually works. The following video also gives you an exclusive insight into the official product launch.
Prof Dr Thomas Auhuber (Managing Director of B-A-D GmbH) and Simon Fiechtner (Co-Founder of Deep Care) will present how AI can help to sustainably improve working conditions at VDU workstations.
On 8 November, Prof Dr Thomas Auhuber and Simon Fiechter presented a world first that aims to sustainably improve working conditions and health protection for office workers. The basis for this is our AI assistance system introduced in 2023 "Isa", which accompanies employees during their desk work and supports them in developing healthy behavioural routines. The aim is to achieve lasting behavioural changes over a period of 12 to 24 weeks through daily health interventions at the workplace.
Together with B-A-D GmbH, we have now further developed the AI assistant to additionally optimise the individual working environment. To this end, Isa was equipped with environmental sensors that record data on air quality (e.g. CO₂ content, humidity, room temperature), light intensity and ambient noise. At the same time, the underlying deep learning algorithm was trained to recognise ergonomic deficits in the setup, such as an incorrectly adjusted display height or table height, based on posture.
Isa also provides proactive, illustrated instructions for improvement and supports users in solving problems independently. A new feature is that recognised risks, implemented measures and possible residual risks are documented in a data protection-compliant report. These reports can be made available to specialists. The new "Risk Assessment" module therefore fulfils all the requirements of risk assessment and can be used in both health promotion and occupational safety.
From the perspective of those responsible for health in the company
The process remains uncomplicated: In addition to the existing module for promoting healthy behaviour ("ergo move") licences can now also be purchased for the workstation optimisation module "risk assessment") can be purchased. These can be booked as usual via the existing booking portal by health administrators or directly by employees.
One key difference: the new hardware is sent to the respective workplace and the period of use is reduced to two weeks. The aim is not to reinforce behavioural habits, but to efficiently record and optimise the working environment.
From the employees' perspective
The workplace is optimised in four steps:
The dangers at the desk are often underestimated - at the same time, the world of work is changing: hybrid working, desk sharing and improvised home office workplaces have become the norm for many employees. However, these new forms of work bring challenges with them, such as inadequate ergonomics and an increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Studies show that the majority of employees work at least partially in or from a home office. Although the home environment has long been part of the modern working reality, most companies are barely aware of the conditions under which their employees work there.
This has been understandable up to now, as traditional risk assessments have reached their limits here. Workplace inspections - whether in person or digitally - are almost impossible to implement on a broad scale and are not desired by employers or employees. In addition, employers fear that major health risks in the home office could either lead to bans on working from home or to considerable costs for optimising workplaces.
Our AI-supported solution builds a bridge between the needs of employees and the challenges faced by companies, thereby creating clarity and security. Instead of selective surveys, it offers continuous evaluation and optimisation of working conditions. Employees are actively involved in order to minimise long-term health risks. Instead of looking the other way, the company provides its employees with an innovative tool with which they can optimise their workplace independently and objectively - using the resources available to them on site. This enables employers to fulfil their duty of care in a cost-effective and cost-neutral manner.
„We need to take a fresh look at the desk workstation as a source of danger, but in the past it was mainly industrial activities that were associated with accident risks, as physical hazards were more obvious there. However, a look at the annual health insurance statistics shows that the desk poses a significant risk to health. This is where regular risk assessment comes in, revolutionised by modern technology. The AI-supported solution makes this assessment more comprehensive and effective. Instead of being carried out selectively, it takes place over a longer period of time in order to record the actual situation. The risk assessment does not end up in a drawer, but leads to active optimisation by the employees and concludes with written documentation."
Dr Milad Geravand - Founder and Managing Director (CEO), Deep Care
The innovative product is a co-development of Deep Care and B-A-D and is therefore only available exclusively from both of us. Deep Care has contributed the technological know-how to implement this innovation, while the experts at B-A-D GmbH have provided their comprehensive expertise in the areas of occupational health and safety and labour law. This collaboration enabled us to develop an intervention concept that covers and specifically addresses all relevant content.
Deep Care continues to offer AI assistance and its modules under the name "Isa" (Intelligent Seating Behaviour Assistance). B-A-D offers the same modules under the name "KICO" (KI-Coach). Isa and KICO are identical in function and purpose, but KICO is more than just another name.
As Germany's largest inter-company service provider for occupational safety, occupational medicine and occupational health management, B-A-D GmbH seamlessly integrates digital health assistance into its existing service portfolio. For example, B-A-D offers the module Ergo Coach in combination with a webcast on the topic of ergonomics in the workplace or the module Risk Assessment can be supplemented by additional services such as counselling or the implementation of follow-up measures after the risk assessment.
We look forward to hearing from you! Together we can improve the working conditions of your teams.
DeepDive BGM
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