Using SoterAI in Slack
The SoterAI Slack integration brings the full power of your AI safety assistant directly into Slack — no need to switch tabs or log into the web platform. Once connected, you can ask safety questions, run workflows, submit records, and get AI-powered insights all from within your Slack workspace.
Getting started — connecting Slack to SoterAI
Step 1 — Connect Slack
- In the SoterAI chat bar, click the puzzle piece icon
- In the Connectors panel, find Slack and click Connect
- Authorise SoterAI to access your Slack workspace
- The SoterAI bot will be added to your Slack workspace automatically
Step 2 — Start a conversation with the SoterAI bot
- In Slack, go to Apps in the left sidebar
- Find and open SoterAI
- Send a direct message to start — the bot will greet you and prompt you to select a workspace
Step 3 — Choose your workspace
- If your account has access to multiple SoterAI workspaces, the bot will ask you to select which one to work in
- Type the name or number of your workspace to confirm
- You're now connected and ready to use SoterAI in Slack
How to use SoterAI in Slack
Once connected, you can interact with SoterAI in two ways:
Direct message (DM)
Open the Apps section in Slack, find SoterAI, and send it a direct message. This is a private, one-on-one conversation.
Channels (public or private)
@-mention SoterAI in any channel to bring it into the conversation. You don't need to add the bot to the channel beforehand — just @-mention it in your message and Slack will prompt you to add it:
- Type your message and include @SoterAI anywhere in the text
- Slackbot will show a prompt: "You mentioned @SoterAI, but they're not in this channel" with an Add Them button
- Click Add Them — SoterAI is added to the channel automatically
- SoterAI replies in a thread to your original message
This works in both public and private channels. Once SoterAI has been added to a channel, any team member can @-mention it without needing to add it again.
What can you do in Slack?
The Slack bot mirrors the core capabilities of the SoterAI web chat interface.
Ask safety and compliance questions
Ask any EHS, regulatory, or compliance question in plain English and get instant, cited answers covering OSHA, Cal/OSHA, MSHA, EPA, SafeWork Australia, and more.
Example prompts:
- "What are the OSHA requirements for confined space entry?"
- "Compare fall protection requirements between OSHA and Cal/OSHA."
- "What PPE is required for working with hydrofluoric acid?"
Analyse photos and videos
Attach images or videos directly in Slack and ask SoterAI to analyse them for hazards. Get AI-powered safety assessments from site visit footage and workplace photos.
Example: "Here's a photo of our warehouse floor — what hazards do you see?"
Run workflows
Trigger pre-built or custom safety workflows directly from Slack. The bot will guide you step-by-step through each workflow:
- Hazard Inspection — Document and assess workplace hazards
- Site Audit — Comprehensive site assessment (supports up to 50 images or a 6-minute video)
- OSHA Recordability Assistant — Determine if incidents are recordable
- Incident Investigation — Guided root cause analysis
- Job Safety Analysis (JSA) — Create task-specific safety plans
- Corrective Action — Track and manage safety improvements
Submit and manage records
Submit safety records without leaving Slack. The bot will ask you for required fields conversationally:
- Hazard Reports
- Training Records
- Waste Management records
- Custom Workflow records
Create and draft documents
Ask SoterAI to draft safety documents, policies, and reports that you can review and download from the web platform.
Example requests:
- "Write a toolbox talk on ladder safety."
- "Draft a confined space entry permit template."
- "Create a JSA for working at heights."
Access Risk Intelligence
Query your organisation's Risk Intelligence data to understand your safety landscape:
- "What's the highest-risk scenario at our main site this month?"
- "Summarise all open risk scenarios missing fire suppression controls."
- "What are our top 3 safety risks right now?"
Search your Data Sources
Ask questions about your organisation's internal documents — policies, procedures, past audits. SoterAI will search your Data Sources and return relevant answers with citations.
Example: "What does our confined space policy say about rescue procedures?"
Slack bot vs. web platform
The Slack bot and the SoterAI web platform share the same AI engine — but they are designed for different moments in your workday.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Slack Bot | Web Platform | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulatory Q&A | Yes | Yes | Same AI, same answers |
| Photo and video analysis | Yes | Yes | Attach files directly in Slack |
| Workflow triggering | Yes | Yes | Bot guides you step-by-step |
| Record submission | Yes | Yes | Conversational form-filling in Slack |
| Document drafting | Yes | Yes | Draft in Slack, edit on web |
| Voice input | No | Yes | Microphone input only on web |
| Full document editing (Canvas) | No | Yes | Rich formatting, export to PDF/DOCX |
| Risk Intelligence dashboard | No | Yes | Visual charts and scenario explorer |
| Data Sources management | No | Yes | Upload, organise, publish documents |
| Workflow builder | No | Yes | Create and customise workflows |
| Prompt Library | No | Yes | Browse ready-made prompt templates |
| Admin and workspace settings | No | Yes | User management, integrations, branding |
| Full conversation history | No | Yes | Web stores all past chats |
| Team channel mentions (@SoterAI) | Yes | No | @-mention in any channel — Slack prompts to add the bot automatically |
| Works without a browser | Yes | No | Slack works on mobile and desktop app |
| Instant field access | Yes | No | No login required once connected |
When to use Slack vs. the web platform
Use the Slack bot when you:
- Are in the field, on-site, or away from your desk
- Need a quick answer during a meeting or walkthrough
- Want to report a hazard or submit a record immediately
- Need to trigger a workflow without opening a browser
- Want your whole team to access SoterAI in a shared Slack channel
Use the web platform when you:
- Need to create, format, or export a polished document (PDF/DOCX)
- Want to explore the Risk Intelligence dashboard visually
- Are building or customising a workflow from scratch
- Need to upload, organise, or manage your Data Sources
- Want to browse the Prompt Library for inspiration
- Need to manage users, settings, or workspace configuration
- Want to review your full conversation history
A note on document drafting
Both interfaces can draft documents — but the experience differs:
- In Slack: SoterAI generates the document text in the chat. You can copy it, share it with your team, or ask for revisions — all within Slack.
- On the web: The same draft opens in the Canvas editor, where you can format it with headings, tables, and lists, apply your organisation's branding, and export it as a PDF or DOCX with one click.
Tip: Draft in Slack for speed, then open the web platform to polish and export when you need a formal deliverable.
A note on session memory
- In Slack: SoterAI remembers context within your current conversation thread. If you start a new DM or the session resets, previous context is not carried over.
- On the web: Full conversation history is stored and accessible. You can return to any past chat and continue where you left off.
Tips for getting the best results
- Be specific in your questions — include context like location, industry, or task (e.g., "for a construction site in California")
- Attach files directly — photos, videos, and documents can be shared right in the Slack message
- Use natural language — no need for special commands; just talk to SoterAI like a colleague
- Switch workspaces — if you need to change the active workspace, type "switch workspace" or start a new conversation
- Continue conversations — SoterAI remembers context within a session, so follow-up questions build on previous answers
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a SoterAI account to use the Slack bot?
Yes. You need an active SoterAI account and your workspace admin must have connected Slack via the Connectors panel.
Can multiple team members use the bot in the same Slack workspace?
Yes. Each user authenticates with their own SoterAI account, so everyone gets personalised access based on their role and permissions.
Can I use the bot in Slack channels, not just DMs?
Yes — in any public or private channel. Just @-mention SoterAI in your message. If the bot isn't in the channel yet, Slack will show a prompt asking to add it — click Add Them and SoterAI will join the channel and reply in a thread. No admin setup needed.
Will my data stay secure?
Yes. SoterAI is SOC 2 certified and all data exchanged through the Slack integration is encrypted and handled according to SoterAI's security standards.
What if I have multiple SoterAI workspaces?
The bot will prompt you to select a workspace when you start a conversation. You can switch workspaces at any time during your session.
Related articles
- Using SoterAI in Slack — Real-World Use Cases
- Using Slack with SoterAI (connecting Slack as a data source — read-only connector)
- Connecting External Apps to SoterAI
Was this article helpful?