Safety at work within industry 5.0 - quo vadis

Abstract

All EU nations and the rest of the globe have been undergoing a massive digital transformation since Germany introduced and put into practice the Industry 4.0 concept in 2011. This entails not only boosting production by incorporating all current means of production, such as modern ICT solutions and robotics, but also introducing new expert profiles and ways of working. And, as that process became increasingly intensive, a new phrase, Industry 5.0, emerged in 2015. This concept focuses on the human potential as well as various IoT and Big Data applications to enhance human job and talent. Its objective is to connect individuals who work with robots in automated industrial settings. It is obvious that protecting worker safety and wellbeing at work entails not just maintaining physical health but also maintaining mental health, autonomy, dignity, privacy, and inclusion. Thanks to new technologies and the concept of Industry 5.0, we can have safer and more productive workplaces where the skills and creativity of workers come to the fore.