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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Frontiers in Public Health

Identification and control of potential occupational safety and health hazards of artificial intelligence: a scoping review

  • Paul A. Schulte1
  • M. Christina Kander2
  • Jessica M. K. Streit2
  • Nicole T. Adamec2
  • Christopher Wendt2
  • Linda M. Hartman3
  • Anasua Bhattacharya2
  • Thomas J. Lentz2
  • Brenda Jacklitsch2
  • Joey Dean4
  • Grace Riley4
  • Valerie Mead4
5 more authors
  • Jay Vietas5
  • Aditya Chikka1
  • Jeffrey Jacobson6
  • Katherine M. Joseph7
  • John Howard2
7 affiliations
  1. 1Advanced Technologies and Laboratories Inc.
  2. 2National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
  3. 3Goldbelt Professional Services
  4. 4Northern Kentucky University College of Health & Human Services
  5. 5National Safety Council
  6. 6Independent Consultant
  7. 7The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Open at sourceDOICite

Abstract

Introduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) offers substantial societal benefits, but it also can pose significant hazards to workers.

Methods: A scoping literature review was conducted to identify materials published from 2010 to 2025 and indicative of artificial intelligence (AI) hazards to workers. The aim was to answer two research questions: What are the potential occupational safety and health hazards associated with exposure to AI? and What are the approaches that have been proposed to control these hazards in the workplace?

Results: Eight databases and grey literature were searched. These yielded 25,925 studies, which after screening resulted in 622 studies for full text review. Of these, 216 were eligible for data extraction. These studies substantiated 14 categories of potential hazards to workers from AI. These categories included: threats of physical trauma; dehumanization of workers; threats to human agency, autonomy, and workers’ voice; loss of human and workplace connection; threats to sense of self and identity; threats of increased stress, fatigue, and work-life imbalance from work intensification; dependence on AI, leading to deterioration of skills; potential exacerbation of OSH inequities in the workplace; threats of weakening the psychological contract, worker engagement, and trust; threats of job loss, unemployment, disruption of labor market, and reduced economic mobility; threats of underpaid, precarious, and hidden work; threats of cyberphysical attacks and bullying; inappropriate worker monitoring, surveillance, management, and selection; and threats of adverse consequences of worker cognitive and physical augmentation and enhancement. Control approaches also were identified for each hazard category.

Discussion: This study provides a comprehensive appraisal of AI-related potential OSH hazards and controls and offers a foundation for future research and practice.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{schulte2026identification,
  title = {{Identification and control of potential occupational safety and health hazards of artificial intelligence: a scoping review}},
  author = {Paul A. Schulte and M. Christina Kander and Jessica M. K. Streit and Nicole T. Adamec and Christopher Wendt and Linda M. Hartman and Anasua Bhattacharya and Thomas J. Lentz and Brenda Jacklitsch and Joey Dean and Grace Riley and Valerie Mead and Jay Vietas and Aditya Chikka and Jeffrey Jacobson and Katherine M. Joseph and John Howard},
  journal = {Frontiers in Public Health},
  year = {2026},
  month = nov,
  doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.1999864},
  url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1999864/full},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Identification and control of potential occupational safety and health hazards of artificial intelligence: a scoping review
AU  - Paul A. Schulte
AU  - M. Christina Kander
AU  - Jessica M. K. Streit
AU  - Nicole T. Adamec
AU  - Christopher Wendt
AU  - Linda M. Hartman
AU  - Anasua Bhattacharya
AU  - Thomas J. Lentz
AU  - Brenda Jacklitsch
AU  - Joey Dean
AU  - Grace Riley
AU  - Valerie Mead
AU  - Jay Vietas
AU  - Aditya Chikka
AU  - Jeffrey Jacobson
AU  - Katherine M. Joseph
AU  - John Howard
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/11/02
JO  - Frontiers in Public Health
DO  - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1999864
UR  - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1999864/full
AB  - Introduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) offers substantial societal benefits, but it also can pose significant hazards to workers.  Methods: A scoping literature review was conducted to identify materials published from 2010 to 2025 and indicative of artificial intelligence (AI) hazards to workers. The aim was to answer two research questions: What are the potential occupational safety and health hazards associated with exposure to AI? and What are the approaches that have been proposed to control these hazards in the workplace?  Results: Eight databases and grey literature were searched. These yielded 25,925 studies, which after screening resulted in 622 studies for full text review. Of these, 216 were eligible for data extraction. These studies substantiated 14 categories of potential hazards to workers from AI. These categories included: threats of physical trauma; dehumanization of workers; threats to human agency, autonomy, and workers’ voice; loss of human and workplace connection; threats to sense of self and identity; threats of increased stress, fatigue, and work-life imbalance from work intensification; dependence on AI, leading to deterioration of skills; potential exacerbation of OSH inequities in the workplace; threats of weakening the psychological contract, worker engagement, and trust; threats of job loss, unemployment, disruption of labor market, and reduced economic mobility; threats of underpaid, precarious, and hidden work; threats of cyberphysical attacks and bullying; inappropriate worker monitoring, surveillance, management, and selection; and threats of adverse consequences of worker cognitive and physical augmentation and enhancement. Control approaches also were identified for each hazard category.  Discussion: This study provides a comprehensive appraisal of AI-related potential OSH hazards and controls and offers a foundation for future research and practice.
SN  - 2296-2565
ER  -