The rapid spread of the Industry 4.0 technologies is deeply changing workplaces. In order to achieve the so-called Forth Industrial Revolution, several open issues have to be faced, concerning technologies, enterprise organization and knowledge. Automation systems are already replacing men in manual, repetitive tasks: both shop-floor and office operations are experiencing this kind of transformation. Therefore, the role of human operators is shifting from manual work to knowledge work: people will be increasingly required to manage and exploit technologies by interacting with automation devices. In order to fulfill such requirements, operators will need to own appropriate knowledge and skills, enabling them to profitably understand the feedback data and take complex decisions to guarantee high performance levels for the enterprise. Obviously, this change cannot ignore the need to maintain and improve Occupational Safety and Health – OS&H conditions, whose assessment and management are entrusted to specific analyses of each production context.

The paper proposes some applications on innovative technologies involved in Industrial production scenarios, highlighting also how a different and tailored analysis on Occupational Safety and Health – OS&H aspects are essential to both ensure and preserve safety and health of workers in a continuous working environment changing.

The rapid spread of the Industry 4.0 technologies is deeply changing workplaces. In order to achieve the so-called Forth Industrial Revolution, several open issues have to be faced, concerning technologies, enterprise organization and knowledge. Automation systems are already replacing men in manual, repetitive tasks: both shop-floor and office operations are experiencing this kind of transformation. Therefore, the role of human operators is shifting from manual work to knowledge work: people will be increasingly required to manage and exploit technologies by interacting with automation devices. In order to fulfill such requirements, operators will need to own appropriate knowledge and skills, enabling them to profitably understand the feedback data and take complex decisions to guarantee high performance levels for the enterprise. Obviously, this change cannot ignore the need to maintain and improve Occupational Safety and Health – OS&H conditions, whose assessment and management are entrusted to specific analyses of each production context.

The paper proposes some applications on innovative technologies involved in Industrial production scenarios, highlighting also how a different and tailored analysis on Occupational Safety and Health – OS&H aspects are essential to both ensure and preserve safety and health of workers in a continuous working environment changing.