A maturity model of occupational safety and health in industry 4.0: An analysis in Brazilian organizations

Abstract

The Industry 4.0 paradigm reshapes labor dynamics, substituting human activities with efficient machines and interconnecting systems into complex networks. This transformation challenges workers' health and occupational safety. Technical adaptation is crucial for market competitiveness amidst this evolving landscape. At the same time, investment in training is imperative for a successful transition into this new industrial era. Nonetheless, many enterprises still need a comprehensive understanding of Industry 4.0 concepts and their relevance to occupational safety. To address this gap, this study proposes a maturity model (MM) for evaluating occupational safety in the context of Industry 4.0. The model was developed through a three-step process: development, application, and validation. It incorporates a framework of seven analysis groups: strategy, leadership, operations, organizational culture, people, governance, and technology. Criteria for each group were established based on current Brazilian regulatory standards (ISO 45001) and recent literature. The best-worst method (BWM) was employed to assign weights to these criteria and evaluate the model's effectiveness. Testing and validation of the model were carried out in two chemical industries in Brazil. The results indicate that the proposed model effectively aids organizations in assessing their maturity level in health and occupational safety amidst Industry 4.0 challenges. It provides valuable insights for aligning organizational strategies with best practices in occupational safety and Industry 4.0 integration.