MANILA, Philippines — Global sustainable infrastructure company Acciona is strengthening its call for safer workplaces by championing the use of digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) in occupational safety.
Acciona made the push during its third annual Health and Safety Day on Thursday, marked by a forum themed “Digitalization and AI: Shaping the Future of Workplace Safety.”
The event gathered over 200 participants, including top business leaders, industry experts and safety practitioners from the construction, infrastructure and water sectors for a full day of discussions, live tech demonstrations, and knowledge-sharing focused on next-generation safety innovations.
In his speech, Ruben Camba, Acciona’s managing director for Infrastructure in Southeast Asia, called on the industry to embrace technology as a life-saving imperative.
“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 highlighted how Acciona is applying the use of AI to ensure workplace safety in the Marcos-Clark Railway Project Package 04, one of its flagship infrastructure projects 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.
As of now, Acciona has already achieved over 20 million safe working hours in the Philippines, a testament to its commitment to health and safety. The company’s efforts will also be recognized at the 2025 Asia–Pacific Stevie Awards, where the company is set to receive honors for innovation in health and safety leadership.
To ensure success of health and safety in the workplace, Camba emphasized the critical role of collaboration across sectors in building a culture of safety.
“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.
During the forum, CEOs and project directors shared best practices on integrating safety technologies into leadership strategies and day-to-day operations. Other key topics discussed included the use of AI, robotics, IoT, exoskeletons, drones, and wearable tech in evolving safety protocols.
“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.