Category: digitalisation

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Workplace Safety and Health

Gyula Szabo Leave a comment

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping workplace safety and health, presenting challenges and opportunities in an increasingly digital world. Witnessing the shared commitment to exploring these evolving issues is encouraging, particularly as AI-driven worker management systems become more prevalent across various industries.

Understanding AI-Based Worker Management Systems

AI-based worker management systems are digital tools that collect and analyze vast amounts of data from various sources, such as PCs, mobile devices, and workplace sensors. These systems can be categorized into two main types:

  1. Automated Decision-Making Systems – These systems operate independently, making decisions without human intervention. While they enhance efficiency, their implementation requires careful consideration to ensure fairness and compliance with labour regulations.
  2. Semi-Automated Systems – In these systems, AI-generated recommendations are reviewed by human managers before final decisions are made. This approach allows for a balance between automation and human oversight.

These technologies are used in various applications, including:

  • Labor Forecasting – AI predicts workforce needs based on customer demand and weather conditions, optimizing shift schedules.
  • Performance Evaluation – AI assesses worker efficiency by tracking task completion times and other productivity metrics.
  • HR Management Support – AI assists in recruitment, training, and workforce allocation to enhance operational efficiency.

Adoption and Impact in the EU

The facts from EU-OSHA show the adoption of AI-driven worker management systems across the European Union. Key findings indicate:

  • While adoption is still relatively low, there is a growing trend, particularly in large companies managing extensive workforces.
  • These systems are predominantly used in industries involving manual and repetitive tasks, such as warehousing, professional cleaning, healthcare, banking, and call centres.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated the deployment of AI-based worker management technologies, with a sharp increase observed in 2020.

Worker Perspectives and Health Implications

While AI-driven systems enhance efficiency, they also raise concerns related to:

  • Job Security – Automation may lead to workforce reductions in specific sectors.
  • Workplace Stress – Continuous monitoring and performance tracking can increase pressure on employees.
  • Data Privacy – The extensive use of personal and professional data necessitates stringent privacy regulations.

Moving Forward

As AI continues integrating into workplace management, it is crucial to balance technological advancement and worker well-being. Policymakers, employers, and researchers must collaborate to ensure that AI-driven systems enhance productivity while safeguarding employee rights and health. Ongoing research and discussions, such as this campaign, play a vital role in shaping the future of AI in workplace safety and health.

For more information on the campaign, visit the official EU OSHA page: Healthy Workplaces Campaign.

The Federation of European Ergonomics Societies (FEES) is a proud partner of the “Safe and Healthy Work in the Digital Age 2023-2025” EU OSHA campaign.

International Conference on Safety and Innovation

Gyula Szabo Leave a comment

We are pleased to announce the International Conference on Safety and Innovation, organized by INAIL in collaboration with the ISSA Section Machine and System Safety. The event will be held from March 11th – 13th, 2025, at INAIL, Piazzale Giulio Pastore 6, Roma.

The conference will focus on the following key topics:

  • Innovative Technologies for Safety: Exploring cutting-edge technologies designed to enhance safety in the workplace. We invite papers discussing new solutions that improve safety during work activities or reduce risks through design innovations.
  • Safety of Innovative Products: Examining the safety aspects of new technologies integrated into products such as machinery, plants, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Submissions should address how these innovations comply with safety regulations and identify gaps in standardization.
  • Innovative Systems for Specialist Training: Evaluating new training systems, including virtual, augmented, and mixed reality tools. We seek papers that analyze these technologies’ effectiveness compared to traditional training methods and discuss various national protocols and guidelines.
  • Workspace Safety: Addressing the design of workspaces to ensure safe working conditions. We welcome papers that present innovative design solutions and examine how workspace design influences worker behaviour and skills.
  • Safety of Living Environments and Human Settlements: Investigating methods for detecting and mitigating pollution and predictive control of structures and facilities to prevent widespread risks. Papers should focus on innovative techniques for monitoring and controlling human settlements and living environments.
  • Systems for Inclusive Safety: Focusing on creating inclusive safety systems that accommodate diverse needs, including gender differences, an ageing population, and disabilities. We encourage papers that explore technical solutions and design strategies for tools, equipment, and training that promote safety and inclusion in the workplace.

The first deadline for abstract submissions is August 30th, 2024. For further information on the topics and the Call for Papers, please visit INAIL’s event page.

Safe and Healthy Work in the Digital Age: Adapting OSH for the Future

Gyula Szabo Leave a comment

Digitalisation is revolutionising the workplace, bringing opportunities and challenges requiring new ergonomics / human factors solutions to update occupational safety and health (OSH). With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), big data, collaborative robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), algorithms, digital labour platforms, and increased remote work, workers and employers face new risks and opportunities. The key to addressing these challenges lies in how these technologies are applied, managed, and regulated within current social, political, and economic contexts.

EU-OSHA’s Efforts and Campaigns

EU-OSHA’s Healthy Workplaces Campaign, “Safe and Healthy Work in the Digital Age” (2023-2025), aims to raise awareness about the implications of digital technologies on workplace safety and health. This campaign underscores the importance of a human-centred approach in designing, implementing, managing, and using these technologies to ensure they are safe and productive. The priority areas:

Advanced Robotics and Automation – Key Considerations for Human Interaction and Trust

According to the Agency’s recently published Policy Brief, “Advanced robotics and automation: Key considerations for human interaction and trust“, the growing autonomy in advanced robotic systems necessitates a shift in the terminology from ‘use’ to ‘interaction’ between humans and robots. The quality of this interaction significantly impacts occupational safety and health (OSH) factors. Various aspects of robotic interaction design, such as cognitive ergonomics, outward appearance, embodiment, robot behaviour, and communication styles, are linked to OSH risks and opportunities. The primary objective is facilitating smooth and natural interactions, enhancing well-being, acceptance, trust, and user experience while mitigating stress and other adverse outcomes.

Anthropomorphic Robot Design

  • Appearance and Behavior: Human-like features (e.g., eyes, facial expressions) can enhance natural interaction and acceptance, especially in social robotics. However, excessive human likeness may cause negative emotions due to the “uncanny valley” effect.
  • Expectation Management: Anthropomorphic features may lead to unrealistic expectations about a robot’s capabilities, potentially impacting task performance and safety. For example, workers might erroneously attribute visual or auditory perception to robots with eyes or ears.
  • Task-Relevant Design: In industrial settings, anthropomorphic movements can improve workflow and task accuracy but must be carefully designed to avoid misinterpretation and potential hazards.

Interaction Principles and Transparency

  • Design Principles: General ergonomic design principles, such as those in EN ISO 9241-110, apply to robotic systems, improving usability and user experience.
  • Cognitive and Sensorial Aid: With increasing robotic autonomy, interaction design must provide mental and sensory aids to prevent information overload and ensure effective decision-making.
  • System Transparency: Adequate transparency is crucial for users to understand robotic actions and intentions, fostering trust and reliability. However, too much information can overload and hinder critical information processing.

Trust in Human-Robot Interaction

  • Calibrated Trust: Appropriate trust in robotic systems is essential for effective collaboration. Over-reliance can lead to complacency, while insufficient trust can result in underutilisation. Trust must be calibrated to match the robot’s capabilities.
  • Influential Factors: Trust is influenced by human-related factors (e.g., user satisfaction, comfort), robot-related factors (e.g., reliability, anthropomorphism), and context-related factors (e.g., team collaboration task difficulty). Reliable and empathetic robots foster higher trust levels.

Risks and Recommendations

  • Privacy and Control: Collecting and analysing data for personalised interaction can raise privacy concerns and feelings of alienation. Ensuring transparency and adhering to data protection regulations is critical.
  • Training and Adaptation: Training on automation bias and system capabilities can mitigate trust miscalibrations. Continuous adaptation to user preferences and task requirements enhances interaction quality.

“Napo in… robots at work”

“Napo in… robots at work” animation provides an overview of safety considerations related to workplace robotics. The film outlines various emerging robotic technologies, associated accident types, key hazards, and control measures.

Production line workers face the highest risk, followed by maintenance workers. Most injuries result from poor workplace design and human error. Technological advances, such as fixed robots, collaborative and mobile robots, and exoskeletons, can enhance working conditions and introduce new hazards in manufacturing environments.

Join the Campaign

The Federation of the European Ergonomics Societies is one of the few EU-OSHA “Safe and Healthy Work in the Digital Age” campaign partners. Ergonomists have a crucial role in creating healthy workplaces and improving performance and user satisfaction.

Please learn more about ergonomics, human factors and occupational health in the digital age. Visit the campaign’s new “Automation of Tasks” Priority Area for more information, resources, materials, insights and practical tools to ensure safe and healthy work environments in the digital age.