Global sustainable infrastructure company ACCIONA is promoting safer workplaces by championing the use of digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) in occupational safety.
ACCIONA underscored this initiative during its third annual Health and Safety Day on Thursday. The event featured a forum themed “Digitalization and AI: Shaping the Future of Workplace Safety.”
The forum brought together more than 200 attendees, including top business leaders, industry experts and safety practitioners from the construction, infrastructure and water sectors. Discussions, live technology demonstrations, and knowledge-sharing sessions focused on next-generation safety innovations took place throughout the day.
ACCIONA managing director for infrastructure in Southeast Asia Ruben Camba urged the industry in his speech to embrace technology as a critical tool for saving lives.
“This year’s theme reminds us that technology isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about protecting lives, improving mental health, and enabling smarter, safer workplaces,” Camba said.
“New technologies are not just tools; they’re opportunities to transform how we anticipate, prevent, and respond to risks in real time,” he said.
Camba cited ACCIONA’s current application of AI to ensure workplace safety in the Marcos-Clark Railway Project Package 04, a key infrastructure project for the company in the Philippines.
“Package 04 is one of only two ACCIONA projects globally—alongside Barcelona—using AI-powered Smart Centers for real-time safety monitoring. Full deployment across Philippine projects is underway and set to be completed in 2025,” he said.
ACCIONA said it achieved over 20 million safe working hours in the Philippines, demonstrating its dedication to health and safety. The company’s efforts will also be recognized at the 2025 Asia Pacific Stevie Awards, where it is set to receive honors for innovation in health and safety leadership.
To ensure workplace health and safety, Camba stressed the crucial role of cross-sector collaboration in fostering a safety culture.
“We’re honored to have with us today our industry partners, representatives from the public and private sector, health and safety practitioners, and leaders from various projects across Southeast Asia. Your presence reflects a shared commitment to building safer, smarter, and more resilient workplaces,” Camba said.
Chief executives and project directors shared best practices during the forum for integrating safety technologies into leadership strategies and daily operations. Key topics discussed included the application of AI, robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), exoskeletons, drones, and wearable technology in evolving safety protocols.
Participants also addressed the ethical and operational challenges associated with this shift, including digital fatigue, workforce adaptation, and the balance between automation and human oversight.
“We are proud to be part of an industry that not only builds infrastructure but builds a culture of care. Let’s continue shaping a future where innovation and safety go hand in hand,” Camba said.