Strategies for safety and health in an automated world

Advanced robotics and artificial intelligence (AI)-based systems for the automation of tasks (both physical and cognitive) have entered sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare and education. • Implications of these systems for occupational safety and health (OSH) are physical, psychosocial and organisational. • Automation of tasks has significant benefits for OSH since it can remove workers from dangerous work environments and reduce their cognitive workload. • Psychosocial risks related to advanced robotics and AI can arise due to misplaced trust, a low level of acceptance, automation bias or fear of job loss. • Early OSH management during implementation, early worker involvement, human-centred design and clear communication are effective tools to address OSH issues. • OSH management should be adapted with new tools for risk assessment, while cybersecurity should be considered as well.