“According to the National Safety Council, the average cost of a fatal workplace injury is $1.39 million and a “struck by” incident—common in warehouse and construction settings—averages $40,104 per medical claim. Reducing these incidents is not only a moral imperative, but a financial one.”

AI vs. Inexperience:
Preventing Accidents Among New Hires in High-Risk Workplaces

In industries like warehousing, logistics and construction, new employees face a disproportionately high risk of injury—particularly during their first year on the job. These sectors are physically demanding, fast-paced and often unpredictable. The presence of heavy machinery such as forklifts only heightens the danger. When paired with an influx of inexperienced workers, the risks can escalate quickly. Continue reading

New Hires, Higher Risk

A 2024 OSHA report revealed that 36% of all workplace injury and illness cases involved employees who had been on the job for a year or less. Another industry analysis found that first-year employees accounted for more than one-third (34%) of all claims, resulting in nearly seven million missed workdays.

In construction alone, the data is even more striking: 47% of injuries happened to workers in their first year, which led to 51% of total workers’ compensation costs for the industry. Why? A mix of limited experience, insufficient training, language barriers and unfamiliarity with protocols can all increase exposure to hazards.

Why New Workers Keep Coming

The demand for workers in high-risk industries isn’t slowing down. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, 69% of firms expect to increase headcount, but 55% say hiring will become even more difficult—largely due to an insufficient supply of qualified workers.

This shortage is compounded by:

• An aging workforce – Retirements are leaving critical gaps in experience, especially in warehousing and transportation.
• Growing demand – The rise in e-commerce has placed added pressure on warehouses and fulfillment centers, increasing both hiring and injury rates.
• Reshoring incentives – Government policies promoting domestic manufacturing are creating more jobs but not necessarily supplying trained personnel.
• High turnover and seasonal peaks – Many industrial roles see frequent new hires, heightening the exposure to preventable accidents.

The High Cost of Inexperience

Beyond the human toll, workplace accidents are expensive. According to the National Safety Council, the average cost of a fatal workplace injury is $1.39 million and a “struck by” incident—common in warehouse and construction settings—averages $40,104 per medical claim. Reducing these incidents is not only a moral imperative, but a financial one.

How AI Can Bridge the Safety Gap

This is where AI steps in—not as a replacement for human training, but as an intelligent safety tool that helps protect workers while they’re still learning the ropes.

The OmniPro collision avoidance system uses Visual AI to detect pedestrians, vehicles, signs and other key objects in real time—without requiring wearable tags or tracking devices. Here’s how it helps:

• Object Recognition in Real Time
  OmniPro “sees” hazards even when workers can’t. It identifies people, forklifts, stop signs, and other key risks and sounds alerts when someone enters a danger zone.
• Customized Safety Zones
  Each camera creates up to five fully customizable alert zones. Whether monitoring a tight aisle or a busy dock, OmniPro adapts to your facility.
• Near-Miss Tracking and Cloud Reporting
  All breaches are recorded with timestamped photos, creating a secure and searchable log for near-miss analysis. This supports safety programs, retraining efforts and compliance audits.
• Tag-Free Operation
  Unlike other systems, OmniPro doesn’t require workers to wear devices—eliminating the need for expensive infrastructure as well as the cost and risk of lost or damaged equipment.
• Inexperience Backstop
  Especially for new workers, AI acts as a second set of eyes, helping prevent errors before they become injuries.

Smarter Safety Decisions Start with OmniPro

OmniPro Vision AI is the most accurate forklift pedestrian collision avoidance system available today. With minimal nuisance alerts, cloud-enabled analytics and the ability to identify people in PPE or unusual positions, it delivers unmatched protection in high-risk environments.

In fast-moving workplaces where a one-second error can mean the difference between a near miss and a life-changing incident, OmniPro gives your team a critical edge.

Ready to make your workplace safer for everyone—especially your newest team members?
Contact us today to learn how OmniPro can reduce incidents and support smarter safety decisions.