• Project number: F 2620
• Institution: Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA)
• Status: Ongoing Project
• Planned end: 2027-09-30

Description:

Algorithmic management (AM) is becoming increasingly important as work processes become more digitalised. With the help of AM, work processes can increasingly be coordinated and controlled without human influence, also beyond platform work.

AM is expected to increase efficiency. However, it is already becoming apparent that work-related health risks may increase, particularly psychosocial stress factors such as time pressure or reduced social support. AM also presents new challenges for the implementation of risk assessment.

The aim of the DGUV-funded PRisAM research project is to systematically analyse the effects of AM on safety and health at work and to derive recommendations for humane work design. To this end, AM is to be conceptually clarified and systematically integrated into existing occupational health and safety concepts. Building on this, the activity- and work area-specific effects of AM use on psychosocial stress factors and on the culture of prevention will be analysed.

Another focus is on identifying conditions that promote or inhibit the implementation of occupational safety measures in algorithmically controlled work processes. European regulatory and design approaches to AM are also taken into account. Finally, starting points will be derived for how social relationships and cooperation in the workplace can be specifically promoted under AM conditions.

To achieve these goals, BAuA’s Department 3 is working closely with partners from the University of Duisburg-Essen and the University Hospital of Ulm. BAuA is primarily responsible for refining the AM concept. An interview study with employees and experts in the field of occupational health and safety who work with AM will follow in spring 2026. A European workshop and a Delphi survey on findings and design measures are planned for 2027.