REDECA Framework Enhancing Occupational Safety and Health Through Artificial Intelligence Applications

Sheila Michiel (a. Faculty of Nursing, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada)
Isabelle Moissact (b. Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 6061, USA)
Christopher Sean (c. Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 6060, USA)

Safety and Health for Medical Workers
Vol. 1 No. 2 (2024): July

Objective: This paper aims to show how REDECA Reengineering Delphi and Evaluation can be integrated with Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a way to increase the influence of AI on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) by further advancing the risk identification process, the prevention of injuries, and the compliance with safety standards.Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study method was used through multiple regressions analysis for the relationships between AI application, risk identification, injury reduction, safety culture, and compliance. Organizational safety culture was explored further as a moderator influencing the effectiveness of AI in OSH systems.Results: AI enhances the identification and prediction of risk, resulting in a significant reduction in workplace injuries and fatalities. AI-enabled applications ensure higher adherence to safety protocols and helped in building a time-tested safety culture. In fact, organizational safety culture improves the effectiveness of AI, serving as a vital moderating factor that facilitates lasting advancements in workplace safety practices. This points to the relationship between technological innovation and organizational influences on better OSH outcomes.Novelty: This study presents an original integration of AI-driven predictive safety mechanisms through the REDECA framework, highlighting the moderating role of safety culture. This serves as a bridge between technology adoption and organizational behavior to advance workplace safety strategies.Research Implication: The findings provide a roadmap to organizations to not just invest in AI-based safety systems but also to inculcate a strong safety culture to reap the rewards of technical advances. This research sends a message to the fostering of the AI integration as a transformative approach for OSH management, which aims for the sustainable improvements in workplace safety, risk mitigation and employed well-being for the policymakers and the industry leaders.