Artificial intelligence and occupational safety in Oman: Smart tech, safer work

Artificial Intelligence isn’t a distant dream anymore — it’s already part of our daily lives. In Oman, where Oman Vision 2040 drives the country’s digital growth, AI is quietly transforming how people work, especially in high-risk jobs such as construction, oil and gas, and transport.

For years, safety was mostly about responding after accidents happened. Today, AI makes it possible to spot danger before anyone gets hurt. On construction sites, cameras linked to AI can recognise when a worker forgets a helmet or enters a restricted area. Instead of waiting for a supervisor to notice, the system sends a quick alert, allowing teams to fix the problem right away.

It’s not science fiction anymore — it’s happening now, and it’s saving lives.

Smart helmets and sensors are also changing how workers stay protected. They track heart rate, body temperature, and fatigue, sending alerts if someone shows signs of heat stress. That matters in Oman’s intense summer conditions, where dehydration and exhaustion are constant threats. At the same time, drones and robots are taking on risky inspection jobs — climbing towers, checking pipelines, and entering confined spaces — so people don’t have to. Training is getting a digital twist, too. With virtual-reality headsets, workers can practice how to react to a fire or gas leak in a realistic but safe space. It’s hands-on learning without the danger, and it builds real confidence on-site. Oman has also built strong laws to guide this progress. The Personal Data Protection Law (Royal Decree No. 6/2022) ensures companies handle workers’ personal and health data responsibly. Fines for breaking the rules can reach 500,000 Omani Rials, and in some cases by imprisonment of up to one year (under the Omani Penal Law).

Meanwhile, the National Policy for AI Governance (2024) promotes ethical, people-first technology — reminding us that machines should support human judgment, not replace it.

AI won’t solve everything. It raises privacy questions and requires new skills and training. But if used wisely, it can cut accidents, boost productivity, and help every worker return home safely at day’s end. Oman’s approach — blending innovation with responsibility — shows that progress doesn’t have to come at the cost of people’s safety or dignity.

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