RR508 - Evaluation into the success of occupational health and safety regulators and organisations use of expert systems

This report describes a study into occupational health and safety (OH&S) Regulators and organisations use of expert systems to address work at height issues; workplace transport; slips and trips; and noise and vibration. An International literature review and consultation activity with 46 key OH&S organisations was conducted in order to identify expert systems and analyse their impact on health and safety. The feedback collected from both activities was organised into a matrix of expert systems on CD-Rom format which accompanies this report.

The report presents a definition of expert systems and discusses safety domains where expert systems have been used. Six health and safety related expert systems were explored further during consultations with key organisations and these are presented as case studies. The study concluded that limited information was available on health and safety related expert system application, and that no robust evaluation evidence existed. The recommendations suggest how HSE could continue to make steps to develop its own expert system.

This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy.

• Visit the RR508 report
• Visit the RR508 matrix

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