Canadian Occupational Safety: How AI can help prevent musculoskeletal injuries

To address this pressing issue, 3motionAI, led by founder and CEO Reed Hanoun, is leveraging artificial intelligence to revolutionize how MSK injuries are assessed, managed, and prevented.

Hanoun is a proponent for the integration of AI in everyday life as a catalyst for innovation in injury prevention. “AI’s integration spans across every facet of life, propelling our technology to the forefront of innovation,” says Hanoun. The technology developed by 3motionAI aims to shift the focus from post-injury treatment to pre-emptive identification and mitigation of injury risks.

Traditional methods for managing MSK injuries typically involve manual data collection, physical exams, and motion sensors, often implemented after an injury has occurred. In contrast, 3motionAI offers a proactive solution through real-time data capture, analysis, and predictive reporting.

The company’s platform allows users to upload videos or use a mobile device to capture movement, which is then analyzed by AI to assess risk.

“We essentially have built a platform that allows our clients to upload a video or use a phone to point the camera at someone doing a particular job function,” explains Hanoun. “AI technology will then assess their movement patterns, their ability to perform the task, and look at their postural movements.”

The 3motionAI mobile app delivers instant feedback, highlighting performance indicators and hidden injury risks. This immediate insight is intended to correct improper movements and reduce injury risk on the spot. Hanoun states, “The idea is to be preventative in this case, preventing injuries from happening in the first place by ensuring that the employees and the tasks are being done in a safe fashion.”

The application of this technology spans various sectors, from manufacturing and construction to healthcare. “We have clients using it in manufacturing, on construction sites, and even in healthcare to help healthcare workers with patient transfer techniques,” says Hanoun. This versatility demonstrates the potential of AI to enhance safety across a broad range of occupational environments.

One of the key features of 3motionAI’s platform is its ability to assess dynamic risk. Unlike static ergonomic assessments, dynamic risk evaluation adapts to changes in the workforce or job processes. Hanoun describes, “As the employee population changes, the risk dynamically changes. What we give the employer is the ability to scan every employee performing the same job, giving a dynamic view of risk based on the current employee population.”

For occupational health and safety professionals, this dynamic approach provides a powerful tool for enhancing workplace safety. It allows for real-time monitoring and intervention, potentially reducing the high costs associated with MSK injuries. Hanoun advises, “Recognize the capability and capacity of individual employees and their ability to perform their jobs. Focus less on the ergonomics of work and more on the physical capability of the individual employees.”

Despite the potential benefits, the adoption of AI technology in injury prevention is not without challenges. Issues such as data privacy, the accuracy of AI assessments, and the integration of new technologies into existing workflows need to be addressed. However, the promise of reducing the significant economic and personal impacts of MSK injuries makes exploring these solutions worthwhile.

As MSK injuries continue to pose a significant challenge globally, innovative approaches like those from 3motionAI offer a new perspective on prevention and management. By leveraging AI technology, there is potential to transform how MSK injuries are assessed and mitigated, ultimately reducing their prevalence and economic burden.