Overview of research and practices in relation to new forms of worker management through AI-based systems and occupational safety and health (OSH)

Tender for the procurement procedure: EUOSHA/2020/OP/F/SE/0111 - Overview of research and practices in relation to new forms of worker management through AI-based systems and occupational safety and health (OSH) of the EU-OSHA, European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (Det Europæiske Arbejdsmiljøagentur). tThe tender was not successfull in being selected as the chosen knowledge producer for this procurement procedure.

Highlights of tender: The principal focus of the research will be to examine the implications of AI and algorithmic management on occupational safety and health, principally measuring work stressors with an emphasis on worker anxiety. Additionally, to explore ideas around establishing ‘AI health & Safety’ and ways in which parameters for healthy working environments can be established.

The hypothesis of the research is that the use of algorithmic management brings with it issues around control, surveillance, data ‘pollution’, gaming of performance data and lack of sense making which implies a series of health and safety issues for workers in different sectors. This includes work intensification, lack of privacy, safety of working environment and practice. The research will ask the question ‘what would AI health and safety look like?’.