Image and Visual Methods in Occupational Safety and Health: Technical and Ethical Challenges of a Strategic Tool.

Authors

Keywords:

Occupational safety and health, Risk management, Safety culture, Visual communication

Abstract

Translator        

 

Introduction: Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) management has traditionally operated under linear and reductionist models that prioritize technical and statistical control. In these models, quantitative indicators often mask actual exposure and overlook the organizational and individual context, leading to paperwork-based management and an illusion of safety.

Objective: To analyze images and visual methods as strategic tools in occupational risk management.

Development: The starting point is the transition of the image from a passive record to a dynamic and interpretive analytical tool. This approach is capable of capturing everyday conditions and behaviors beyond the rigidity of traditional metrics. Its utility is recognized as a diagnostic, interventional, preventive, and communicative tool, while addressing the challenges involved in its integration into OSH management strategies.

Conclusions: Images and visual methods have the potential to humanize risk management, shifting the bureaucratic focus toward a shared experience that brings to light hazards rendered invisible by institutional inertia. This shift enables improvements centered on the worker’s holistic health and more effective data utilization. However, success requires organizational ethical maturity, leveraging visual resources as a pedagogical asset for comprehensive well-being.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Karen Julieth Campos Cuartas, Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios - Uniminuto

Translator        

 

 

Maylludi Hernández Cortés

Translator        

 

 

Diego Fernando Lotero Vasquez, Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios - Uniminuto

Translator        

 

 

Daniel Ricardo Portela Guerra, Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios - Uniminuto

Translator        

 

 

Juan Esteban Imbachi Salas , Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios - Uniminuto

Translator        

 

 

References

1. Dyreborg J, Lipscomb HJ, Nielsen K, Törner M, Rasmussen K, Frydendall KB, et al. Safety interventions for the prevention of accidents at work: A systematic review. Campbell Syst Rev. 2022;18(2):e1234. Disponible en: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9159701/

2. Ezekwe CI. Workplace Safety: A Conceptual Review. SSRN Journal. 2025 [acceso 23/09/2025]; Disponible en: https://www.ssrn.com/abstract=5065151

3. Thoma V, Weiss-Cohen L, Filkuková P, Ayton P. Cognitive Predictors of Precautionary Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Psychol. 2021 [citado 19 de octubre de 2025];12:589800. Disponible en: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.589800/full

4. Organización Internacional del Trabajo OIT . Sistema de gestión de la SST: una herramienta para la mejora continua. 2011. [acceso 23/09/2025]. Disponible en: https://www.ilo.org/es/publications/sistema-de-gesti%C3%B3n-de-la-sst-una-herramienta-para-la-mejora-continua

5. Lotero D, Robayo D. Gestión de la Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo para las MiPymes desde la Restricción en Tiempo, Costo y Alcance. Revista Cubana de Salud y Trabajo. 2024;25(2). Disponible en: https://revsaludtrabajo.sld.cu/index.php/revsyt/article/view/479/576

6. Lee B, Kim H. Evaluating the effects of safety incentives on worker safety behavior control through image-based activity classification. Front Public Health. [acceso 23/09/2025]. 2024;12:1430697. Disponible en: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11345187/

7. Toma A, Ghindescu Negura F, Moraru RI, Mureşan F, Racautanu M. Behavior-Based Safety, the Right Long-term approach to address Workplace Safety. Găman GA, editor. MATEC Web Conf. 2024;389:00003. Disponible en: https://www.matec-conferences.org/10.1051/matecconf/202438900003

8. Gamarnik C. Lo que puede una fotografía: Imágenes, medios de comunicación, redes sociales y ecología. InMediaciones de la Comunicación . 2024;19(2). Disponible en: https://revistas.ort.edu.uy/inmediaciones-de-la-comunicacion/article/view/3799

9. Beese NO, Rodriguez FS, Spilski J, Lachmann T. Development of a Digital Video-Based Occupational Risk Assessment Method. Front Public Health. 2021;9:683850. Disponible en: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8222799/

10. Flum MR, Siqueira CE, DeCaro A, Redway S. Photovoice in the Workplace: A Participatory Method to Give Voice to Workers to Identify Health and Safety Hazards and Promote Workplace Change – a study of University Custodians. Am J Ind Med. 2010;53(11):1150-8. Disponible en: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2957512/

11. Welch R, Fleming R. The Power of Visual Storytelling to Create Behavior-Change in the Workplace. JAID. 2022; Disponible en: https://edtechbooks.org/jaid_11_4/ryxkpPZv

12. Lara M, Díaz Fuentes C, Calderón J, Geschwind S, Tarver M, Han B. Pilot of a Community Health Worker Video Intervention for Immigrant Day Laborers at Occupational Health Risk. Front Public Health. 2021;9. Disponible en: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.662439/full

13. Fang Y, Ni G, Gao F, Zhang Q, Niu M, Ding Z. Influencing Mechanism of Safety Sign Features on Visual Attention of Construction Workers: A Study Based on Eye-Tracking Technology. Buildings. 2022;12(11):1883. Disponible en: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/12/11/1883

14. Del Gesso C. Tracing the evolutionary path of visual disclosure research in corporate reporting: a longitudinal coword analysis and study agenda. MRR. 2025;48(13):45-84. Disponible en: http://www.emerald.com/mrr/article/48/13/45-84/1267572

Published

2026-04-17

How to Cite

1.
Campos Cuartas KJ, Hernández Cortés M, Lotero Vasquez DF, Portela Guerra DR, Imbachi Salas JE. Image and Visual Methods in Occupational Safety and Health: Technical and Ethical Challenges of a Strategic Tool. rev cuban salud trabajo [Internet]. 2026 Apr. 17 [cited 2026 Apr. 17];27. Available from: https://revsaludtrabajo.sld.cu/index.php/revsyt/article/view/1041

Issue

Section

Comments and reflections