Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in assessing ergonomic risk factors in the workplace: A systematic review

Abstract

Background

Emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and the Internet of Things (IoT) improve ergonomic risk assessment and control.

Objective

This systematic review aims to investigate the use of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in assessing ergonomic risk factors in the workplace.

Methods

This study focuses on ergonomic risk assessment using AI, ML, and the IoT by analyzing published articles in English from 2013 to 2023. The search excluded review articles, books, letters, correspondence, and conference papers. Various keyword combinations related to “ergonomic risk assessment”, “ergonomics”, “Artificial Intelligence”, “machine learning”, “Internet of Things”, and “data science” were used in the search. Literature was collected from Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, ProQuest, and Google Scholar. Out of 140 primary literature sources, 19 studies were selected based on the PRISMA approach.

Results

Some articles (68%) have developed risk assessment systems using AI, ML, and IoT to collect data on workers’ physical conditions and assess their postures. 32% of studies developed wearable devices to predict musculoskeletal disorder risks. Studies employ accelerometers and ML to automatically identify activities, improving ergonomic risk assessment. Researchers predict musculoskeletal disorder risks using computer vision, AI algorithms, and ML, along with ergonomic assessment systems and accelerometers.

Conclusion

Implementing smart wearable devices for ergonomic risk assessment is important. AI and machine learning in these devices enable real-time monitoring of workers’ movements and postures, identifying potential hazards associated with musculoskeletal disorders. This technology improves the efficiency and accuracy of risk assessments, reducing costs and time compared to traditional methods.