Ergonomic Practices and Occupational Health in Industry 4.0: a Systematic Literature Review

Although Industry 4.0 has brought about great technological advances and development opportunities, it is not without risks for the safety and health of workers. Automation and the interconnection of systems, while optimizing processes, can generate new, unanticipated ergonomic problems. Repetitive movements, forced postures, and increased cognitive load are some examples. Given this scenario, there is a need to adapt ergonomic practices to this new work environment. This systematic review explores what ergonomic practice optimization strategies exist to ensure the safe and efficient utilization of new technologies under Industry 4.0. Researching and understanding how ergonomic risks evolve in Industry 4.0 is fundamental to designing effective prevention strategies. Methodologies such as the LEST Method, the SOFT Model, and systematic literature reviews can provide a holistic view of the impacts at work. It is key to combine qualitative and quantitative, longitudinal and cross-sectional, participatory and experimental approaches to gain a deep understanding of the transformations of work in the digital age. Only in this way can we ensure the safe and efficient exploitation of new technologies in Industry 4.0, protecting the health and well-being of workers.