Healthy Work with Smart Devices – Recommendations for Risk Assessment and Work Design in the Context of Work/Industry 4.0

Status:

completed 08/2025

Aims:

The project aimed to develop recommendations for designing risk assessments and holistic, organizational measures to promote healthy and age-appropriate work with smart mobile devices for German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) policyholders. To this end, a practical guide was created to support companies in assessing risks and deriving suitable measures – focusing on the needs of employees, especially older and performance-changed individuals.

Based on specific needs identified from science and practice, the original goal was expanded: an additional chapter now supports companies in the planning or implementation phase of smart mobile devices, facilitating prospective risk assessments at an early stage.

Activities/Methods:

To identify risk factors and requirements for working with smart mobile devices, a literature review (Work Package [WP] 1) and a participatory survey via focus groups (WP 2) were conducted. Building on this, two questionnaires were developed: one for assessing physical and psychological stress factors during smart mobile device use, and another for selecting suitable devices and software (WP 3). Both questionnaires were practically tested (WP 4). Additionally, a comprehensive catalog of measures (WP 5) was provided, based on the results of WP 1 and 2, offering a collection of options for risk reduction according to the STOP principle. Finally, criteria for the practical design of the guidance were established through a design sprint con-ducted together with field representatives and members of DGUV and employers' liability insurance association.

Results:

The resulting four-part comprehensive guide, supported by workbook elements and digital tools for evaluating and documenting the risk analysis. The guide is divided into four main areas:

1. Introduction of smart mobile devices
2. Selection of suitable smart mobile devices and software
3. (Digitally supported) analysis of mental and physical hazards and risk assessment
4. Derivation of measures

The project results support occupational accident insurance providers in advising companies, particularly regarding the implementation of risk assessments for smart mobile devices. This research project aids the statutory accident insurance under SGB VII, especially in avoiding work-related health hazards with smart mobile device use.

Last Update: