Deploying automation technologies to mitigate occupational safety and health hazards in port operations

Purpose Ports are hazardous places to work, and several hazards and associated occupational safety and health (OSH) risks exist to port workers including physical factors, machinery injuries, injuries associated with hazardous materials and exposure to the elements. This research aims to explore the impact of automation technologies on workplace safety to port-related operations and how automation reduces the necessity for human involvement in high-risk work scenarios in Sri Lanka. Design/methodology/approach This research takes a qualitative approach and incorporates semistructured expert interviews with a sample consisting of 12 OSH and automation experts. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic qualitative content analysis. This approach was used to find patterns and themes, along with relating to automation and OSH performance and adoption challenges in the port context. Findings The findings indicated that automation could enhance OSH conditions, decrease injuries, lessen physical load and increase processing efficiencies. However, it also identified a substantial number of barriers in Sri Lanka to implement effective automation including economic issues, infrastructural challenges and organizational resistance. Practical implications This research provides actionable implications for port authorities, policymakers to develop strategic approaches to automation adoption through the intervention of implementation barriers in the ports. Originality/value This research advances the very limited knowledge base associating automation relating to OSH in the context of ports in Sri Lanka. It used a conceptual framework as a stepping stone to thinking about the potential of automation to enhance workplace safety and sustainability in port operations.