Developing a comprehensive weak signals framework to promote better occupational safety and health regulation and practice

Understanding of weak signals and being able to manage them through the development of certain mechanisms, would potentially facilitate organizations to attain acceptable and sustainable OSH maturity level. The systematic and on time identification of weak signals, provides the potential for early intervention and consequently, the abolishment of unwanted
consequences and impending major disasters, leading to safer and healthier workplaces.
The purpose of this research was to provide a theoretical contribution towards a better understanding of the current knowledge, the nature and the impact of weak signals and to provide potential directions regarding the introduction of weak signals management within established Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS), based on a
proactive approach.
In this thesis, a thorough review of the existing OSH literature, supplemented by a technical examination of selected major industrial disasters (Bhopal, Chernobyl, Piper Alpha and Deepwater Horizon), is enhanced by a mixed research method that included Delphi method, documentary analysis and establishment of results by an online experts’ focus group discussion.
Delphi method was utilized to explore experts’ opinion, regarding weak signals management in OSH, while the selected group of experts was asked to participate in two rounds of questions both close and open ended, aiming to determine consensus amongst them, with regard to weak signals management. Documentary analysis of three occupational accidents attained by the Department of Labour Inspection in Cyprus, acted as complimentary data to the preceded Delphi
method, whereas an online experts’ focus group discussion attained to establish research findings.
The findings of this research, revealed the existence of a considerable number of weak signals, operational and organizational, prior occupational accidents and disasters and the importance of their on-time management for incidents’ prevention. Furthermore, the outcomes of this research enhanced the development of a clearer definition of weak signals in the OSH domain, the development of a comprehensive weak signals management framework, and concurrently
provide directions for the introduction of weak signals management into existing traditional OHSMS. At an organizational level, if weak signals management becomes part of the existing OHSMS, would potentially have an impact on the OSH maturity level of the organization, whereas at a broader level a comprehensive weak signals framework might support strategic choices and policies, as well as OSH legislation amendments, towards the reduction of occupational
accidents, diseases, dangerous occurrences and other unwanted incidents at workplaces.
Furthermore, this research exposes the necessity of the introduction of weak signals into the training of OSH professionals