Enhancing Work Efficiency and Safety Culture in the Food Industry Using Behavioral Patterns: A Video-Based Case Study from Poland

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of professional experience on workflow performance and assess the potential of using behavioral patterns derived from video-based observation to improve work efficiency and safety culture in the food industry. The experiment was conducted at a meat processing plant, with 48 employees divided into four experience groups. Deviations from behavioral patterns, work cycle times, and an efficiency index that considered both speed and accuracy (calculated as a ratio combining task completion time and the average number of deviations) were analyzed. The results showed that experienced employees completed tasks the fastest (8.3 s/cycle) but made the most errors (an average of 4 deviations), while new inexperienced employees worked slower (15.6 s/cycle) but with fewer errors (an average of 1.5 deviations). New employees with previous experience achieved the highest process efficiency (EI = 0.031), demonstrating that a balance between speed and accuracy is crucial. The study is based exclusively on video observation, and no Motion Capture (MoCap) system was used. However, the potential future application of MoCap technology is discussed as a conceptual extension, particularly for enhancing training processes and enabling real-time feedback. Monitoring movements and providing real-time feedback can reduce errors, improve efficiency and support a culture of safety, in line with the principles of Industry 5.0 and sustainability in food production.