Technologies for safety and health management in large companies in Ecuador: A worker-centric exploration from technology adoption attitudes

Abstract

Implementing I4.0 technologies to promote a safe work environment is essential to safeguard worker safety and health (OSH). An analysis based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and the adapted Technology Organization and Environment (TOE) model led the association between applications based on the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and workers’ attitude toward these ap- plications in large Ecuadorian companies. Service & Commerce business companies gathering most workers, predominantly between 18 and 43 years old (63.86%), shows a positive and significant correlation between operation and supervision responsibilities, educational level, and the use of portable devices, especially in OSH (78.31%). A positive correlation is depicted between perceived ease of use (EU), perceived usefulness (PU), and risk perception (RP). The use of portable devices for work activities, combined with the detection of issues in the workflow, is positively correlated with sharing data to identify risks, bridging collective and individual OSH. Monitoring activities, data collection, and training concentrate the key technological applications in large companies in Ecuador.