A new AI-driven safety app is helping risk awareness become second nature for Australian miners.
ViPR Australia was founded with a clear mission: to stop workplace accidents by proactively enhancing worker awareness of job-related risks.
The company’s journey began when its founder Michael Jones witnessed first-hand the impact of workplace incidents – not just on individuals, but on families, teams and entire businesses.
This experience sparked a critical question: why aren’t we doing more to stop this before it happens?
Determined to find a smarter, more effective approach to workplace safety, Jones set out to create ViPR – a platform that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to make risk awareness second nature.
By equipping workers with real-time, job-specific safety information, ViPR can help them make informed decisions that prevent accidents before they occur.
“Our goal is to create a culture where safety is proactive, intuitive and truly impactful,” Jones told Safe to Work.
ViPR is an advanced AI-driven safety technology designed to be a worker’s real-time safety companion on-site. It is designed to ensure hazard identification and critical safety information from regulators and manufacturers are delivered instantly to workers in the field, where timely information is most crucial.
“What sets ViPR apart is its intelligent adaptability,” Jones said.
“Instead of generic safety updates, its advanced AI algorithm searches and cross-references critical safety information based on the user’s job role, location, type of mining operation, and specific tasks being performed.
“This ensures that workers receive highly relevant, site-specific information about potential risks before they escalate, factoring in conditions like environmental hazards and machinery-specific dangers.”
ViPR prioritises simplicity and usability. The interface is designed to be intuitive, so workers can access vital safety information quickly and efficiently, without navigating complex systems or unnecessary details.
By making safety information smarter, faster and more targeted, ViPR aims to empower workers to make informed decisions in real-time.
For Jones, ViPR isn’t intended to replace any systems currently in use in the workplace. Rather, it’s designed to enhance and work as a kind of personal assistant, providing information that may not have previously been encountered.
“ViPR is designed for people, not just protocols,” Jones said.
“Unlike traditional safety software, it doesn’t require users to have prior knowledge of mining, safety or risk management, nor does it demand extensive data entry before becoming effective.
“ViPR works straight out of the box, analysing risks and delivering actionable insights immediately.
“Whether you’re a seasoned manager or a worker new to the field, ViPR provides instant, relevant safety information, making it more than just a tool – it’s a true safety partner and pocket assistant.”
Jones has a vision to see ViPR set a new standard for safety across all industries. The goal is to keep the platform on the cutting edge by continuing to advance its AI capabilities and taking on feedback from users.
“ViPR’s growth will be shaped by real-world feedback,” Jones said. “As more industries adopt the platform, we’re focusing on refining the tool to make predictions even more personal and adapting the system for diverse work environments, not just mining.
“Our goal is to ensure ViPR stays ahead of emerging risks and remains a practical, game-changing solution for industries across the country ensuring the information remains relevant and easy to access at all times.”
Jones believes workplace safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s about protecting people and creating a culture where everyone feels valued and supported.
“ViPR isn’t just a tool; it’s a mindset shift,” he said. “We’re proud to partner with companies that share our vision for smarter, safer workplaces, and we’re excited to see how ViPR can make a real difference on the ground.
“At its core, ViPR is about keeping people safe so they can go home at the end of the day.
“That’s a mission worth standing behind.”
This feature also appears in the March–April issue of Safe to Work.