Aviva introduces AI technology to identify workplace injury risks before they cause harm

Aviva has introduced AI-powered motion analysis to help employers identify musculoskeletal risks before they result in workplace injuries.

The insurer’s Global Risk Management Solutions business has partnered with health, safety and ergonomics specialist Cardinus Risk Management to give clients access to 3MotionAi, a technology originally developed for sports performance that can now analyse workplace movements and identify potential injury risks.

Using video footage, the technology assesses factors including employees’ posture, movement, repetition, force and the duration of tasks.

Aviva said this could reveal risks that conventional workplace assessments may not identify, allowing employers to intervene before musculoskeletal problems become more serious.

The development comes as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) remain a significant workplace health issue in Britain.

Health and Safety Executive figures show 511,000 workers experienced work-related MSDs in 2024/25, including both new and long-standing cases. These conditions resulted in 7.1 million working days being lost.

Aviva’s Risk Management Solutions consultants will use the technology with businesses to understand how tasks are performed and identify activities that could expose employees to strain or injury.

The insurer said pilots have already identified activities assessed as higher risk by the technology despite previously being considered low risk.

Gill Milner, Head of Risk Management Solutions, Casualty Classes, at Aviva, said: “Many musculoskeletal risks aren’t immediately obvious. In our pilots we’ve already seen 3Motion identify higher-risk activities that had previously been considered low risk, helping clients take targeted action before injuries occur.

“By delivering real-time, evidence-based insights into workplace activities, the technology helps organisations focus their efforts where they’ll have the greatest impact, supporting safer workplaces, healthier employees and stronger business performance.”

The introduction reflects a wider opportunity for employers to use workplace health data and technology to move from responding to ill health and absence towards identifying risks earlier.

For occupational health and workplace wellbeing teams, musculoskeletal health is particularly significant because problems can affect an employee’s ability to remain healthy and productive at work and can contribute to sickness absence.

Jon Abbott, Director at Cardinus Risk Management, said: “We’ve been delighted to build on our long-standing relationship with Aviva to harness the power of AI in helping organisations keep their people healthy, safe and in work. By combining Cardinus’ expertise in ergonomics and workplace health with Aviva’s commitment to supporting customers, we’ve developed an intelligent solution that identifies musculoskeletal risks earlier, enabling timely interventions before they become more serious. Ultimately, this is about preventing avoidable injuries, reducing their impact on individuals and organisations, and helping people remain healthy, productive and in work.”

The technology also demonstrates how AI applications within workplace health are expanding beyond administrative efficiency and employee-facing tools into preventative risk management.