What do EHS Pros Think About AI: Understanding this Revolutionary Survey

Are you ready to bridge the gap between traditional safety compliance and the cutting-edge world of artificial intelligence? In this episode, Sheldon Primus sits down with Hillary Waterhouse to explore how AI is reshaping the landscape for safety consultants and industrial hygienists. From OSHA litigation support to the latest trends in EHS technology, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for safety professionals.

We begin by diving into Hillary's extensive background as a former OSHA compliance officer in New York and Georgia, offering a rare look at how to navigate informal conferences and agency interactions. The heart of the discussion focuses on a recent industry survey regarding AI adoption in the workplace. You will learn which tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot are leading the pack and how they can be used to manage heavy administrative workloads without sacrificing technical accuracy.

Hillary and Sheldon also tackle the critical topic of AI ethics and the human in the loop philosophy. They discuss why AI should be treated as a highly capable intern rather than a final decision-maker, especially when dealing with high-hazard scenarios like process safety management. Whether you are curious about the future of technical writing or looking for ways to get back into the field by automating paperwork, this episode provides the roadmap you need to elevate your safety game.

Chapters

0:00 Intro and Welcome to the Safety Consultant Show

3:15 Introducing Hillary Waterhouse and Her Background

7:40 Working with OSHA in New York and Georgia

11:50 Strategies for OSHA Informal Conferences

16:15 The Direction of the Agency and New Programs

21:30 VPP SHARP and the Safety Champion Initiative

26:45 Mental Health and Psychosocial Hazards in Construction

31:20 The Genesis of the EHS AI Questionnaire