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Navigating the AI-Driven Workplace: Emerging Challenges and Innovative Solutions in Occupational Health and Safety

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 2838

Special Issue Editor

Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI 48127, USA
Interests: OHS; safety; ergonomics; human factors; risk assessments; accident assessment; smart safety; Industrial 5.0; Industrial 4.0; safety training; injury prevention; day aways from work; artificial intelligence; smart robots; human-computer interaction; human-computer interface; risk analysis
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid advancement and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into modern workplaces have transformed work environments and processes, posing unique challenges to occupational health and safety (OHS). This proposal invites submissions addressing cutting-edge OHS issues emerging in the context of AI-driven work environments and suggesting innovative solutions that promote worker well-being and safety.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • AI and automation's impact on physical and mental health in the workplace;
  • Novel methods and AI-driven tools for ergonomic risk assessment, hazard identification, and injury prevention in human–AI interactions;
  • Balancing worker autonomy and safety in AI-enhanced decision-making processes;
  • Ensuring privacy and ethical data management in AI-driven OHS applications;
  • Designing adaptive and inclusive AI-integrated work environments for diverse worker populations;
  • The role of AI in facilitating OHS training and education;
  • Regulatory frameworks and standards for OHS in the AI era;
  • Case studies demonstrating successful implementation of AI-driven OHS initiatives;
  • Data privacy and security concerns in AI-driven OHS systems;
  • Understanding the impact of human–AI interaction on OHS outcomes;
  • Ethical considerations in the deployment of AI technologies in OHS;
  • Regulatory compliance and standards for AI applications in workplace safety;
  • Training and education programs to enhance worker competencies in AI-led work environments;
  • Human-centric design principles for AI systems in OHS;
  • Case studies and empirical research on the implementation and evaluation of AI technologies in occupational health and safety.

This interdisciplinary call invites researchers from diverse fields, including occupational health and safety, human factors, ergonomics, computer science, engineering, psychology, and sociology, to contribute their perspectives and insights on the future of AI in the workplace and its implications for worker health and safety.

Submissions should present original research, critical reviews, case studies, or innovative conceptual frameworks that significantly advance our understanding of OHS challenges and opportunities in AI-driven work environments. Authors are encouraged to consider both theoretical and practical implications of their work and to offer recommendations for future research and practice.

Dr. Bochen Jia
Guest Editor

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • occupational health and safety
  • artificial intelligence (AI)
  • AI-driven work environments
  • human–AI interaction
  • ethical considerations
  • risk assessment
  • training and skill development
  • organizational factors
  • workplace culture
  • worker well-being
  • occupational health and safety (OHS)
  • AI-driven work environments
  • ergonomic risk assessment
  • worker well-being
  • human–AI interaction
  • adaptive and inclusive work environments
  • OHS training and education
  • regulatory frameworks
  • future of work

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

25 pages, 504 KiB  
Review
Evaluating User Safety Aspects of AI-Based Systems in Industrial Occupational Safety: A Critical Review of Research Literature
by Jaroslava Huber, Bernhard Anzengruber-Tanase, Martin Schobesberger, Michael Haslgrübler, Robert Fischer-Schwarz and Alois Ferscha
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(5), 705; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22050705 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2025
Abstract
AI technologies are becoming increasingly prevalent in industrial workplaces, extending their applications beyond productivity to critical areas such as occupational safety. From our perspective, it is important to consider the safety of these AI systems for users already at the research and development [...] Read more.
AI technologies are becoming increasingly prevalent in industrial workplaces, extending their applications beyond productivity to critical areas such as occupational safety. From our perspective, it is important to consider the safety of these AI systems for users already at the research and development stage, rather than only after deployment. Therefore, in this review, we synthesize publications that propose such AI-based safety systems to assess how potential risks are addressed early in their design and prototype stages. Consequently, we explore current advancements in AI-driven, sensor-based, and human-centered applications designed to enhance occupational safety by monitoring compliance, detecting hazards in real time, or assisting users. These systems leverage wearables and environmental sensing to proactively identify risks, support decision-making, and contribute to creating safer work environments. In this paper, we categorize the technologies according to the sensors used and highlight which features are preventive, reactive, or post-incident. Furthermore, we address potential risks posed by these AI applications, as they may introduce new hazards for workers. Through a critical review of current research and existing regulations, we identify gaps and propose key considerations for the safe and ethical deployment of trustworthy AI systems. Our findings suggest that in AI- and sensor-based research applications for occupational safety, some features and risks are considered notably less than others, from which we deduce that, while AI is being increasingly utilized to improve occupational safety, there is a significant need to address regulatory and ethical challenges for its widespread and safe adoption in industrial domains. Full article
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14 pages, 2119 KiB  
Review
Exploring Human–AI Dynamics in Enhancing Workplace Health and Safety: A Narrative Review
by Jakub Fiegler-Rudol, Karolina Lau, Alina Mroczek and Janusz Kasperczyk
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(2), 199; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020199 - 30 Jan 2025
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Abstract
Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing occupational health and safety (OHS) by addressing workplace hazards and enhancing employee well-being. This review explores the broader context of increasing automation and digitalization, focusing on the role of human–AI interaction in improving workplace health, safety, and [...] Read more.
Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing occupational health and safety (OHS) by addressing workplace hazards and enhancing employee well-being. This review explores the broader context of increasing automation and digitalization, focusing on the role of human–AI interaction in improving workplace health, safety, and productivity while considering associated challenges. Methods: A narrative review methodology was employed, involving a comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus for studies published within the last 25 years. After screening for relevance and eligibility, a total of 52 articles were included in the final analysis. These publications examined various AI applications in OHS, such as wearable technologies, predictive analytics, and ergonomic tools, with a focus on their contributions and limitations. Results: Key findings demonstrate that AI enhances hazard detection, enables real-time monitoring, and improves training through immersive simulations, significantly contributing to safer and more efficient workplaces. However, challenges such as data privacy concerns, algorithmic biases, and reduced worker autonomy were identified as significant barriers to broader AI adoption in OHS. Conclusions: AI holds great promise in transforming OHS practices, but its integration requires ethical frameworks and human-centric collaboration models to ensure transparency, equity, and worker empowerment. Addressing these challenges will allow workplaces to harness the full potential of AI in creating safer, healthier, and more sustainable environments. Full article
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