Safety of workers

Term

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Definition

Robots take over dangerous tasks (positive) but can cause injury or stress if poorly designed (negative).

Example: Robots handle toxic chemicals.

Found in: syllabus, 2025 HSC marking guidelines, sample exam and familiarisation guidelines, school notes.

Where you'll use it in the test

Syllabus area: Y12 Software Automation.

Question types it can appear in

Short answer: Define, outline or explain it and tie it to the scenario.
Extended response: Use it as a supporting point linked to the stimulus.

Where it has appeared in the paper

Software Automation (Part A). Part letters follow each paper’s own layout.

How to use it

A model sentence

General advice, built from the definition and example above

“Robots take over dangerous tasks (positive) but can cause injury or stress if poorly designed (negative).” Then apply it: Robots handle toxic chemicals.

In a short answer, give the definition in your own words first, then tie it to the situation in the question. Do not copy the example above unless it fits the scenario.

Command words used with it

From the linked past questions

Discuss: Identify issues and provide points for and/or against. (2025 HSC Q24 (5 marks): Safety of workers (impact of automation))

Official worked answer

2025 HSC Q24 (5 marks): Safety of workers (impact of automation) (5 marks): official criteria and sample answer

Criteria

5: Comprehensive discussion of the impact on workers with reference to the scenario. 4: Outlines both positive AND negative ways. 3: Outlines some ways. 2: Outlines ONE way OR identifies some ways. 1: Some relevant information.

Sample answer

The AI monitoring system can improve safety on site by reducing human error through real-time alerts and remote monitoring. It can also help supervisors track workers' compliance with PPE requirements and identify risky behaviours, potentially preventing accidents. However, some workers might feel their privacy is invaded, especially if the wearables continue monitoring during breaks or in private areas like bathrooms. There's also a risk of the system misidentifying safe behaviour as unsafe, leading to unnecessary alerts or stress which could cause distractions at critical times. Additionally, the long-term data collection could be used to improve training, but workers may worry about how the data is stored or used.

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Go deeper

Flashcard: Safety of workers in Software Automation (Year 12) · study that set
Memorise: Impact of automation on individuals, society and the environment
Notes: Assess the impact of automation on the individual, society and the environment,… (Software Automation (Year 12))
Notes: Impact of automation on individuals, society and the environment (Software Automation (Year 12))
Notes: Part 3. Where this has been examined (see ../../question_bank.md) (Software Automation (Year 12))
Master answer: Topics in this module (Master model answers: Software Automation)
Full term page: every question, note and marking comment for Safety of workers

Check yourself

Explain “Safety of workers” in one sentence, give an example, and name a question type that could test it.

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