AI-based ergonomics tools promise quick risk assessments using only smartphone videos, but concerns remain about their accuracy. A study comparing AI assessments to traditional biomechanical analyses in an industrial bakery revealed significant gaps. AI tools often overlook critical factors, such as hidden body positions, lateral movements, and accurate hand and wrist evaluations. Tasks involving high force—key predictors of musculoskeletal injuries—are frequently underscored by AI, which relies on outdated screening methods like RULA and REBA. Evidence suggests AI tools may not effectively predict injury risk, with many studies showing poor correlation with real-world injury data. For AI to become a reliable ergonomic assessment tool, advancements in three-dimensional video data and force-measurement technology are crucial. Until these improvements are made, organizations should prioritize comprehensive, expert assessments that measure real forces and consider all tasks to genuinely reduce injury risks. Carrie Taylor, founder of Taylor’d Ergonomics, emphasizes the value of professional evaluations for effective workplace safety.
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