The advance of robotics and artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the world of work, transforming industrial and professional processes. In addition to improving productivity, these technologies offer significant opportunities for occupational safety and health (OSH), but they also pose physical, psychosocial, and organizational challenges that require attention and focused strategies.
This is according to the report published by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), which analyzes the implications of automation and digital technologies for OSH.
The study, part of the 2023-2025 Europe-wide Healthy Workplaces Campaign (HWC), highlights how a human-centred approach can make these innovations not only safe but also highly productive.
Automation of physical activities is a rapidly evolving phenomenon in sectors such as manufacturing and transportation. Artificial intelligence makes it possible to automate routine tasks through the use of sensors and actuators, which detect obstacles and allow movements to be stopped or redirected.
In these areas, many operations are undergoing an increased level of automation, including welding, assembly, packaging, and cutting.
In logistics, robots are becoming increasingly autonomous: they follow predefined paths and are programmed to avoid collisions. These AI-driven systems are used for loading and unloading containers, picking fixed or moving parts, storage, and distribution.
This approach not only reduces the risk of accidents, but also decreases the physical workload, contributing to the improvement of operators’ overall well-being.
Automation is therefore particularly beneficial for safety, but it is necessary to be aware of and manage its psychosocial and organizational risks.
Fear of job loss, the need for rapid retraining, and the possible depersonalization of work roles are among the main obstacles.
In addition, data protection and cybersecurity are crucial areas, as the increasing interconnectedness of technologies increases vulnerabilities to cyber-attacks.
The introduction of automated systems, therefore, requires a human-centered approach. It is essential to involve workers, provide appropriate training and ensure transparency during implementation.
EU-OSHA highlights the importance of risk assessment tools that take into account technological limitations and regulatory implications, and proactive safety management to ensure successful automation, in safe, efficient and regulatory-compliant environments.
At Accessafe, a leader in designing industrial safety solutions, we offer tools and expertise to address these new automation challenges. With advanced products and consulting services, we support companies in the transition to an increasingly automated future, where technology and safety work together to improve the quality of work and the lives of all employees.
For more details, you can view the full report
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