Artificial intelligence adaptation and occupational safety compliance: The mediating role of adaptive safety behavior among petrochemical maintenance workers.

BackgroundThe increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in high-risk industries has transformed occupational processes; however, its impact on safety behavior remains insufficiently understood, particularly in terms of underlying behavioral mechanisms.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the effect of organizational adaptation to AI on safety compliance, with a specific focus on the mediating roles of safety participation and safety adaptability among petrochemical maintenance personnel.MethodsA cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 84 maintenance workers in a petrochemical complex. Data were collected using validated questionnaires measuring organizational adaptation to AI and dimensions of safety behavior. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the proposed model and mediation effects.ResultsOrganizational adaptation to AI had a significant positive effect on safety compliance (β = 0.474, p = 0.001), safety participation (β = 0.561, p < 0.001), and safety adaptability (β = 0.730, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis showed that safety adaptability significantly mediated the relationship between AI adaptation and safety compliance (β = 0.219, p = 0.020), whereas the mediating effect of safety participation was not significant.ConclusionsThis study advances current knowledge by demonstrating that the impact of AI on occupational safety is primarily transmitted through adaptive behavioral mechanisms rather than participatory behaviors. The findings highlight the importance of aligning AI implementation with human and organizational factors. From a practical perspective, organizations should prioritize adaptive safety training and human-centered AI system design to effectively enhance safety compliance in high-risk industrial environments.