Occupational risk identification using hand-held or laptop computers

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health and Safety
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Risk Management

Background:

• Traditional risk identification methods can be time-consuming and paper-intensive.
• Effective risk assessment is crucial for maintaining a safe and productive work environment.
• Integrating technology can enhance the efficiency and accuracy of workplace safety evaluations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and describe the Work Environment Profile (WEP) program.
• To demonstrate the WEP program's utility in computer-aided risk identification during worksite visits.
• To highlight the WEP program's potential for improving risk assessment processes in various enterprise sizes.

Main Methods:

• The Work Environment Profile (WEP) program was developed for installation on hand-held computers or laptops.
• A 5-category, color-coded system was implemented to classify identified risks across 7 distinct groups (accidents, biological/physical hazards, ergonomic/psychosocial load, chemicals, IT hazards).
• Visual summary images with color-coding were generated to aid in risk interpretation.

Main Results:

• The WEP program facilitates risk identification during on-site work visits.
• The system categorizes risks into 7 groups with 5 color-coded classifications for enhanced visualization.
• The program generates visual summaries that simplify risk interpretation.

Conclusions:

• The WEP program is an accessible tool for risk assessment, suitable for both experts and non-professionals.
• Its design is adaptable for use in both small and large enterprises.
• The WEP program significantly reduces time by eliminating the need for paper-based record-keeping.