Digital Occupational Safety Records and AI-Based Risk Assesment from 2026

Across Europe, a clear trend is emerging in the field of occupational health and safety: digitalisation and data-driven decision-making are playing an increasingly important role. Italy is taking a significant step forward in this area and, from 2026, will introduce new and stricter requirements regarding occupational safety records and risk assessment.

These changes will not only affect occupational safety professionals but will also have a direct impact on HR departments and company leadership.

Why Is the Italian Regulation Timely?

Italy’s occupational safety framework is primarily based on Legislative Decree No. 81/2008 (D.Lgs. 81/2008), which has undergone several amendments in recent years. The legislator’s objective is clear:
to move away from traditional, paper-based occupational safety practices and towards a digital, transparent, and prevention-focused system.

The requirements coming into force from 2026 are closely aligned with EU occupational safety and digitalisation strategies, with particular relevance for larger companies and complex organisational structures.

What Will Change in Italy from 2026?

1. Mandatory Digital Occupational Safety Records

From 2026 onwards, employers will be required to:

• maintain occupational safety documentation in digital format,
• ensure that records are up to date and easily retrievable,
• provide electronic access to documentation during authority inspections.

This includes, among others:

• risk assessments,
• workplace accident records,
• training and education documentation.

2. Increased Employer Responsibility

The new regulation treats occupational safety as more than an administrative obligation. Employer responsibility will be strengthened to ensure that:

• documentation reflects real and effective risk management,
• preventive measures take priority over reactive responses,
• managers and HR professionals actively participate in the process.

Occupational safety thus becomes a shared organisational responsibility, rather than a purely technical or compliance-driven task.

3. AI-Based Risk Assessment in Larger Organisations

One of the most significant innovations is the introduction of automated, data-driven risk assessment. For larger organisations, expectations may include:

• the use of digital risk assessment systems,
• predictive risk analysis based on collected data,
• analysis of accident and health trends using artificial intelligence.

This represents a new dimension in occupational safety, shifting the focus towards prevention and early risk identification.

These developments significantly transform the role of HR. HR will no longer function solely as a supporting department but will become a key player in occupational safety compliance.

Typical HR responsibilities may include:

• supporting the implementation of digital occupational safety systems,
• cooperating closely with IT and occupational safety professionals,
• training managers to recognise and manage risks,
• supporting data-driven decision-making,
• ensuring compliance at an international level.

Why Is This Relevant for Other Countries?

Although the regulation originates from the Italian legal environment, it may serve as a strong model for other EU member states. Digitalised occupational safety systems and AI-based risk assessment are expected to spread across the EU.

This is particularly relevant for:

• multinational corporate groups,
• shared service centres,
• organisations developing international HR strategies.

One of the most important messages of the Italian regulation is clear:

Occupational safety will become a data-driven, digital, and strategic issue in the future.

Organisations that start preparing in time will not only achieve legal compliance but will also create safer, more sustainable, and more attractive workplaces.

InterHRM’s mission is to support organisations in navigating international HR and occupational safety developments by providing practical, future-proof solutions.

Prepared by the InterHRM Expert Team, in accordance with international workplace safety and HR best practices.