A Resilience Engineering -related approach applying a taxonomy analysis to a survey examining the prevention of risks

Abstract

The aim of this study was to devise a way of applying a taxonomy based on the concepts of resilience engineering and to demonstrate the feasibility of this taxonomy on survey data. An online internet questionnaire was administered to over 6700 OSH managers; their response rate was 22%. The corresponding values for workers’ OSH representatives were 5300 and 27%. The present study developed a qualitative taxonomy based on a Resilience Engineering approach. This study applied a combination of both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. For both managers and workers, ‘Commitment of management’, ‘Cooperation’ and ‘Systematic improvement of OSH’ had positive influences on ‘Decreasing accident risks’. Furthermore, ‘Obligations’, ‘Decreasing accident risks’, ‘Improving ergonomics’, and ‘Training’ exerted a positive influence on ‘Development of the work conditions’. The classification of resilience with the present taxonomy helped to clarify an intangible quality like resilience and in this context also helped to develop proactive safety measures. The key constructs of the present taxonomy helped in providing a deeper understanding of the commonalities, differences, and relationships in their sub-categories. The main implication is that the present resilience taxonomy can be applied by managers and employees for determining the future intervention process in improving OSH. When applying the present resilience taxonomy with a participatory approach, the organizations may acquire new perspectives on the working life and learn how they can collectively ensure the successful outcome and fulfilment of needs in OSH.