Welcome Guest! The IOSH forums are a free resource to both members and non-members. Login or register to use them

Postings made by forum users are personal opinions. IOSH is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any of the information contained in forum postings. Please carefully consider any advice you receive.

Notification

Icon
Error

Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
A Kurdziel  
#1 Posted : 16 May 2014 16:30:33(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27426942 So will this algorithm also have duties under Section 37 of Health and Safety at Work Act 1974? After all its decisions could be affecting the Health and Safety of employees.
Steve e ashton  
#2 Posted : 16 May 2014 20:47:24(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Steve e ashton

It takes criminal law 15 to 20 years to catch up to technology... So don't expect any amendments to S37 any time soon. Its all very well when it just the workers being made redundant by the robots. Now that its Board members - expect some backlash!... And what are we if not simple algorithms holding some data (knowledge of H&S law and practice) and able to regurgitate it on demand... Come to think of it... why haven't we been replaced yet? Could it be that the system programmers just think it'd be too boring to put the info in so they leave us alone? How long before the first wikibased H&S advisor is named as a company's 'competent person'... Can't be long....
achrn  
#3 Posted : 19 May 2014 08:24:07(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
achrn

A Kurdziel wrote:
its decisions could be affecting the Health and Safety of employees.
How? According to the report it simply provides an analysis of a potential investment decision. I expect it no more has duties under HASWA than does Microsoft Excel - I'm sure Excel presents some information to the board meetings too.
A Kurdziel  
#4 Posted : 19 May 2014 09:12:08(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

achrn wrote:
A Kurdziel wrote:
its decisions could be affecting the Health and Safety of employees.
How? According to the report it simply provides an analysis of a potential investment decision. I expect it no more has duties under HASWA than does Microsoft Excel - I'm sure Excel presents some information to the board meetings too.
It was actually meant as a Friday joke but think about it… an algorithm ( a computer programme if you like) has bn appointed a director of a company, with responsibility for approving investment opportunities, which could include, a decision on whether to invest in more staff training, new work equipment, any of which could affect H&S. By appointing it a director this means that it becomes more difficult to challenge the computer’s decision (computers are not noted for their capacity to appreciate the Moral/Humanitarian aspect of MEL/HEL). You could argue it becomes the ‘controlling mind’ of the business. Or it’s all just a publicity stunt by some sad geeks.
Users browsing this topic
Guest
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.