AI-Driven Health, Safety, and Environmental Excellence: A Systematic Review, Research Gap Analysis, and Future Research Agenda
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55578/isgm.2607.012Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence, Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) Management, HSE 4.0, Predictive Risk Intelligence, Sustainability, Organizational Resilience; Industry 4.0Abstract
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a key enabler of Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) excellence, supporting the transition from reactive, compliance-driven management to predictive, data-driven, and adaptive systems. Advances in machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, digital twins, intelligent sensing, and predictive analytics are transforming hazard identification, dynamic risk assessment, occupational health protection, environmental sustainability, regulatory compliance, and organizational resilience. Despite rapid technological progress, research on AI applications in HSE remains fragmented across technological, organizational, human, and governance dimensions, limiting conceptual integration and practical adoption.
This study presents a systematic literature review of AI-driven HSE research published between 2016 and 2026 to synthesize current knowledge, identify dominant research themes, analyze critical knowledge gaps, establish future research directions, and develop an integrated implementation framework for AI-driven HSE excellence. The review identifies five interrelated thematic domains: (1) predictive risk intelligence; (2) intelligent safety monitoring and autonomous control; (3) environmental performance and sustainability optimization; (4) human-AI collaboration and workforce transformation; and (5) responsible AI governance. The findings demonstrate that AI can enhance proactive risk management, decision support, safety and environmental performance, regulatory compliance, and organizational resilience. However, its successful adoption depends on addressing challenges related to data quality and interoperability, digital maturity, workforce competencies, explainability, cybersecurity, ethical governance, and regulatory readiness.
The gap analysis highlights priority areas for future research, including interoperable AI-HSE architectures, standardized performance assessment frameworks, longitudinal evaluations of organizational outcomes, human-centered adoption models, and trustworthy AI governance. Building on these findings, this review proposes an integrated AI-Driven HSE Excellence Implementation Framework that aligns technological capabilities, organizational enablers, human factors, and governance mechanisms within a socio-technical perspective. By consolidating fragmented evidence into a coherent conceptual foundation, the review advances the theoretical understanding of AI-driven HSE excellence while providing a strategic research agenda and a practical framework for the responsible, scalable, and sustainable adoption of AI across HSE systems.
References
[1] Aneziris, O., Koromila, I., & Nivolianitou, Z. (2020). A systematic literature review on LNG safety at ports. Safety Science, *124*, Article 104595. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2019.104595
[2] Adekoya, O. O., Tula, O. A., Adefemi, A., & Abatan, A. (2023). Health, safety and environmental (HSE) practices in the LNG industry: A review. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, *20*(3), 1757-1776. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2023.20.3.2573
[3] Jain, D. (2026). AI-driven decision-making in workplace safety: Enhancing risk assessment and compliance in healthcare settings. New Zealand Journal of Health and Safety Practice, *3*(1), 1-13.
[4] Adriaensen, A., Decré, W., & Pintelon, L. (2019). Can complexity-thinking methods contribute to improving occupational safety in industry 4.0? A review of safety analysis methods and their concepts. Safety, *5*(4), Article 65. https://doi.org/10.3390/safety5040065
[5] Muazu, M. H. (2019). Operational excellence and the implications for health, safety and environmental performance in the oil and gas industry. Journal of Technology Management and Business, *6*(1). https://doi.org/10.30880/jtmb.2019.06.01.001
[6] Fan, H., Enshaei, H., & Jayasinghe, S. G. (2021). Safety philosophy and risk analysis methodology for LNG bunkering simultaneous operations (SIMOPs): A literature review. Safety Science, *136*, Article 105150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2020.105150
[7] Malomane, R., Musonda, I., & Okoro, C. S. (2022). The opportunities and challenges associated with the implementation of fourth industrial revolution technologies to manage health and safety. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, *19*(2), Article 846. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19020846
[8] Ali, K., & Waheed, A. (2025). Synergistic role of TQM 4.0 toward industry 4.0 readiness: A sociotechnical perspective of selected industries. The TQM Journal, *37*(3), 853-876. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-01-2024-0012
[9] Gomaa, A. H. (2025a). Lean 4.0: A strategic roadmap for operational excellence and innovation in smart manufacturing. International Journal of Emerging Science and Engineering (IJESE), *13*(4), 1-14.
[10] Gomaa, A. H. (2025b). LSS 4.0: A conceptual framework for integrating Lean Six Sigma and Industry 4.0 for smart manufacturing excellence. Indian Journal of Management and Language (IJML), *5*(1), 8-29.
[11] Chia, G., Lim, S. M., Sng, G. K. J., Hwang, Y. F. J., & Chia, K. S. (2019). Need for a new workplace safety and health (WSH) strategy for the fourth Industrial Revolution. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, *62*(4), 275-281. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22953
[12] Jiang, Z., Bakker, O. J., & Bartolo, P. J. (2022, May). Critical review of Industry 4.0 technologies' applications on occupational safety and health. In 2022 8th International Conference on Control, Decision and Information Technologies (CoDIT) (Vol. 1, pp. 1267-1272). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/CoDIT55151.2022.9803974
[13] Javaid, M., Haleem, A., Singh, R. P., Suman, R., & Gonzalez, E. S. (2022). Understanding the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies in improving environmental sustainability. Sustainable Operations and Computers, *3*, 203-217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susoc.2022.04.001
[14] Arana-Landín, G., Laskurain-Iturbe, I., Iturrate, M., & Landeta-Manzano, B. (2023). Assessing the influence of industry 4.0 technologies on occupational health and safety. Heliyon, *9*(3), Article e13720. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13720
[15] Badri, A., Boudreau-Trudel, B., & Souissi, A. S. (2018). Occupational health and safety in the industry 4.0 era: A cause for major concern? Safety Science, *109*, 403-411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2018.06.012
[16] Afoma, U. M., Singh, S., Mishra, A. K., Sharma, C. K., Gupta, K., Mishra, M. K., Roy, B., Verma, V. V., & Sharma, V. K. (2026). Integrating artificial intelligence in environmental monitoring: A paradigm shift in data-driven sustainability. EcoHealth, *23*(1), 38-57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-026-01680-9
[17] Gomaa, A. H. (2025c). Maintenance 4.0: Optimizing asset integrity and reliability in modern manufacturing. International Journal of Inventive Engineering and Sciences (IJIES), *12*(2), 18-26.
[18] Gomaa, A. H. (2025d). RCM 4.0: A novel digital framework for reliability-centered maintenance in smart industrial systems. International Journal of Emerging Science and Engineering (IJESE), *13*(5), 32-43.
[19] Tepe, S. (2021). The impact of industry 4.0 on occupational health and safety. International Journal of Advances in Engineering and Pure Sciences, *33*(1), 122-130. https://doi.org/10.7240/jeps.747641
[20] Musarat, M. A., Alaloul, W. S., Irfan, M., Sreenivasan, P., & Rabbani, M. B. A. (2022). Health and safety improvement through Industrial Revolution 4.0: Malaysian construction industry case. Sustainability, *15*(1), Article 201. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010201
[21] Pandey, S., Kiran, K., Parhi, S., Singh, A. K., & Jha, S. K. (2023). Safety management in the era of emerging industrial revolution: The conceptualisation of Safety 4.0. In Fostering sustainable development in the age of technologies (pp. 239-256). Emerald Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83753-060-120231016
[22] Nugraha, A. A. P., Irawati, I., Nabella, S. D., Mulyadi, M., & Nurmayunita, N. (2024). New safety paradigm: Management and occupational health and safety (OHS) synergy in the digital era. Postgraduate Management Journal, *4*(1), 27-53.
[23] Park, J., & Kang, D. (2024). Artificial intelligence and smart technologies in safety management: A comprehensive analysis across multiple industries. Applied Sciences, *14*(24), Article 11934. https://doi.org/10.3390/app142411934
[24] Jamwal, A., Agrawal, R., Sharma, M., & Giallanza, A. (2021). Industry 4.0 technologies for manufacturing sustainability: A systematic review and future research directions. Applied Sciences, *11*(12), Article 5725. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11125725
[25] Frank, A. G., Thürer, M., Godinho Filho, M., & Marodin, G. A. (2024). Beyond Industry 4.0 - integrating Lean, digital technologies and people. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, *44*(6), 1109-1126. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-01-2024-0069
[26] Choudhary, D., & Nandy, I. (2024). A study of sustainability risks from industry 4.0 perspective: Taxonomy and future research avenues. Competitiveness Review: An International Business Journal, *34*(6), 1178-1205. https://doi.org/10.1108/CR-07-2023-0171
[27] Gomaa, A. H. (2025e). SCM 4.0: A conceptual framework for integrating Lean Six Sigma and Industry 4.0 for smart manufacturing excellence. International Journal of Management and Humanities (IJMH), *11*(8), 24-44.
[28] Gomaa, A. H. (2025f). Smart maintenance in Industry 4.0: Optimizing equipment performance through digital twins and Lean Six Sigma integration. IUP Journal of Mechanical Engineering, *18*(1), 7-31.
[29] Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., & Moher, D. (2021). Updating guidance for reporting systematic reviews: Development of the PRISMA 2020 statement. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, *134*, 103-112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2021.02.003
[30] Koh, D., & Tan, A. (2024). Applications and impact of Industry 4.0: Technological innovations in occupational safety and health. Safety and Health at Work, *15*(4), 379-381. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2024.09.004
[31] Zorzenon, R., Lizarelli, F. L., & Daniel, B. D. A. (2022). What is the potential impact of industry 4.0 on health and safety at work? Safety Science, *153*, Article 105802. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2022.105802
[32] Kheni, N. A., & Afatsawu, P. K. (2022). A study of challenges faced by regulatory authorities for implementing health and safety compliance in the Ghana construction industry context. International Journal of Management and Entrepreneurship Research, *4*, 315-333. https://doi.org/10.51594/ijmer.v4i8.112
[33] Kumar, A., Agrawal, R., Wankhede, V. A., Sharma, M., & Mulat-Weldemeskel, E. (2022). A framework for assessing social acceptability of Industry 4.0 technologies for the development of digital manufacturing. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, *174*, Article 121217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.121217
[34] Smallwood, J., & Allen, C. (2023). Practitioners’ perceptions of the potential impact of Industry 4.0 on construction health and safety. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, *21*(2), 486-501. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-05-2021-0281
[35] Kozlova, M. A., Gorbacheva, A. A., & Fedosov, P. V. (2021). Impact of digital technologies on the transition to a “green economy.” In Industry 4.0: Exploring the consequences of climate change (pp. 323-335). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-75301-8_24
[36] Laciok, V., Bernatik, A., & Lesnak, M. (2020). Experimental implementation of new technology into the area of teaching occupational safety for industry 4.0. International Journal of Safety and Security Engineering, *10*(3), 403-407. https://doi.org/10.18280/ijsse.100316
[37] Liu, Y., Lan, Z., Tschoerner, B., Virdi, S. S., Li, F., Cui, J., Sourina, O., Zhang, D., & Müller-Wittig, W. (2021, September). VR-based training on handling LNG related emergency in the maritime industry. In 2021 International Conference on Cyberworlds (CW) (pp. 159-165). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/CW52790.2021.00032
[38] Siemieniuch, C. E., Sinclair, M. A., & Henshaw, M. D. (2015). Global drivers, sustainable manufacturing and systems ergonomics. Applied Ergonomics, *51*, 104-119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2015.04.018
[39] Beetz, M., Bartels, G., Albu-Schäffer, A., Bálint-Benczédi, F., Belder, R., Beßler, D., Haddadin, S., Maldonado, A., Mansfeld, N., Wiedemeyer, T., & Weitschat, R. (2015, September). Robotic agents capable of natural and safe physical interaction with human co-workers. In 2015 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) (pp. 6528-6535). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/IROS.2015.7354301
[40] Yeshitila, D., Kitaw, D., & Jilcha, K. (2021). Applying lean thinking to improve operational safety in oil and gas industry. Open Journal of Safety Science and Technology, *11*(3), 120-141. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojsst.2021.113009
[41] Yasseen, A., & Peresypkin, S. (2018, November). Proactive application of human performance science in risk assessment process within dynamic operations of an oilfield service provider. In Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (Paper No. D042S206R001). SPE. https://doi.org/10.2118/193269-MS
[42] Adem, A., Çakit, E., & Dağdeviren, M. (2020). Occupational health and safety risk assessment in the domain of Industry 4.0. SN Applied Sciences, *2*(5), Article 937. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-020-2728-7
[43] Leso, V., Fontana, L., & Iavicoli, I. (2018). The occupational health and safety dimension of Industry 4.0. La Medicina del Lavoro, *109*(5), 327-338. https://doi.org/10.23749/mdl.v109i5.7282
[44] Markowski, A. S., Krasławski, A., Vairo, T., & Fabiano, B. (2021). Process safety management quality in industrial corporation for sustainable development. Sustainability, *13*(16), Article 9001. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169001
[45] Ávila-Gutiérrez, M. J., Suarez-Fernandez de Miranda, S., & Aguayo-González, F. (2022). Occupational safety and health 5.0—A model for multilevel strategic deployment aligned with the sustainable development goals of agenda 2030. Sustainability, *14*(11), Article 6741. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14116741
[46] Podgorski, D., Majchrzycka, K., Dąbrowska, A., Gralewicz, G., & Okrasa, M. (2017). Towards a conceptual framework of OSH risk management in smart working environments based on smart PPE, ambient intelligence and the Internet of Things technologies. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, *23*(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2016.1217493
[47] Kaivo-Oja, J., Virtanen, P., Jalonen, H., & Stenvall, J. (2015). The effects of the internet of things and big data to organizations and their knowledge management practices. In Knowledge Management in Organizations: 10th International Conference, KMO 2015, Maribor, Slovenia, August 24-28, 2015, Proceedings 10 (pp. 495-513). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21009-4_37
[48] Mattsson, S., Partini, J., & Fast-Berglund, Å. (2016). Evaluating four devices that present operator emotions in real-time. Procedia CIRP, *50*, 524-528. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2016.04.119
Downloads
Published
Data Availability Statement
All data supporting this study are contained within the article.
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Attia Gomaa (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.