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:
- Digital platform work
- Automation of tasks
- Remote work
- AI and worker management
- Smart digital systems
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.
