Design of Gamified Training in Waste Management Plants: The SOHS Project

Keeping workers safe and healthy is good not only for them but also for business. Strong occupational safety and health (OSH) programs can boost a company’s competitiveness and productivity. However, OSH also plays a big role in environmental and social well-being. This connection between being green and keeping workers safe is especially tricky when it comes to green jobs. The number of workers in the fast-growing waste management sector is skyrocketing, so new safety considerations must be addressed. Waste treatment workers are exposed to a combination of risks (chemical, biological, biomechanical, and psychosocial), and very little is known about the possible interactions that may increase or decrease the overall workers’ health. Innovative and highly engaging methods are needed to effectively train employees on the risks. In this paper, we present the preliminary results of the SOHS Project that aims to perform a multidimensional occupational risk assessment, define the corresponding risk scenarios, and design and develop a prototype of a gamified tool to offer an engaging training experience. The project applies Human Work Interaction Design (HWID) principles and techniques to ensure that the design aligns with the workers’ context, supporting effective interaction between employees and the training system. By embedding HWID principles, the training system balances technology-driven risk insights with the workers’ expertise and experience, fostering meaningful engagement while enhancing safety outcomes.