Smart systems and safety 4.0: A systematic review of technologies enhancing safety decision-making in industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 has introduced advanced technologies that enable automation, interconnectivity, and data-driven operations. These developments have transformed industrial decision-making processes and workplace safety management. However, the integration of smart systems into safety-related decision-making remains insufficiently explored, and their actual impact on occupational safety outcomes is not yet well understood. This study aimed to analyze how smart technologies contribute to improving safety decision-making within Industry 4.0 environments. A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA protocol. A total of 713 articles were screened, and 331 peer-reviewed studies published between 2016 and 2024 were selected for analysis. Bibliometric mapping using VOSviewer and thematic synthesis were applied to identify patterns, research trends, and conceptual relationships. The results reveal increasing research interest in predictive and prescriptive safety decision-making supported by technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital twins, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), and wearable devices. These technologies enhance hazard identification, real-time monitoring, and proactive risk management. A Safety 4.0 ecosystem framework is proposed, linking data acquisition, modeling, and decision support. Key challenges identified include data quality, interoperability, and workforce skill gaps. The findings highlight the potential of smart systems to improve decision accuracy, operational safety, and organizational resilience. This study contributes an evidence-based understanding of how Industry 4.0 technologies shape safety decision-making processes and provides practical guidance for industries seeking to advance toward intelligent, adaptive, and safer work environments.