REDECA: A Novel Framework to Review Artificial Intelligence and Its Applications in Occupational Safety and Health

Maryam Pishgar, Salah Fuad Issa, Margaret Sietsema, Preethi Pratap and Houshang Darabi
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Maryam Pishgar: Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60609, USA
Salah Fuad Issa: Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
Margaret Sietsema: Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
Preethi Pratap: Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
Houshang Darabi: Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60609, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 13, 1-42

Abstract: Introduction: The field of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly expanding, with many applications seen routinely in health care, industry, and education, and increasingly in workplaces. Although there is growing evidence of applications of AI in workplaces across all industries to simplify and/or automate tasks there is a limited understanding of the role that AI contributes in addressing occupational safety and health (OSH) concerns. Methods: This paper introduces a new framework called Risk Evolution, Detection, Evaluation, and Control of Accidents (REDECA) that highlights the role that AI plays in the anticipation and control of exposure risks in a worker’s immediate environment. Two hundred and sixty AI papers across five sectors (oil and gas, mining, transportation, construction, and agriculture) were reviewed using the REDECA framework to highlight current applications and gaps in OSH and AI fields. Results: The REDECA framework highlighted the unique attributes and research focus of each of the five industrial sectors. The majority of evidence of AI in OSH research within the oil/gas and transportation sectors focused on the development of sensors to detect hazardous situations. In construction the focus was on the use of sensors to detect incidents. The research in the agriculture sector focused on sensors and actuators that removed workers from hazardous conditions. Application of the REDECA framework highlighted AI/OSH strengths and opportunities in various industries and potential areas for collaboration. Conclusions: As AI applications across industries continue to increase, further exploration of the benefits and challenges of AI applications in OSH is needed to optimally protect worker health, safety and well-being.

Keywords: artificial intelligence; worker health and safety; occupational safety and health; sensor devices; robotic devices; machine learning algorithms; future of work (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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