A spatial data integration and visualization approach for occupational health and safety risks management: Application to Algerian electricity and gas company

Abstract

In the safety 4.0 era, occupational health and safety (OHS) related data has become one of the most valuable assets for organizations. Risk Management in the OHS field is a data‐driven process. However, geospatial data has not been fully considered and few works have used visualization for decision‐making purposes. Our research was conducted using a design science research methodology. It is a methodology for creating and evaluating IT artifacts to solve identified organizational problems. We used Wang's safety intelligence framework and the recommendations of the ISO 45001 model from extant literature to inform the Design. While creating our artifact, we chose to make an inventory of occupational risk prevention practices in Algeria. A qualitative study using interviews with experts in the field consolidated the requirements for such a system. The key findings from the analysis of collected data state that the development of safety data‐driven decision‐making requires top management support and involvement, which is in line with previous studies. A second concern is the availability of spatial data. The designed artifact is an approach called spatial data integration and visualization approach for occupational health and safety management systems (SDIVA‐OHSMS). SDIVA‐OHSMS provides a practical approach for organizations in charge of OHS services to implement OHS data‐driven decision‐making solutions highlighting spatial and semantic dimensions. The evaluation was performed through a representative case study within the Algerian electricity and gas company (Sonelgaz), employing expert opinion and software implementation. As a result, experts concluded that such systems could provide a more comprehensive and accurate view of occupational health issues and guide further prevention policies.