Breaking the Cycle: Workers' Narratives on Safety Failures and Recovery

Abstract

This study examined safety failures and recovery practices among mechanical engineers and maintenance workers in Region III (Central Luzon), Philippines, using a qualitative phenomenological approach. Interviews with 12 participants across manufacturing, agro-processing, and cold storage industries revealed that safety failures were both technical and socially embedded, arising from interactions between human operators, equipment, and organizational systems. Workers actively engaged in adaptive recovery strategies, including problem-solving, temporary workarounds, and team coordination, to maintain operational safety. Organizational factors, such as supportive management, training, resources, and workplace culture, significantly influenced the effectiveness of preventive maintenance. Findings highlight the importance of human-centered approaches, resilience-oriented practices, and context-sensitive policies for enhancing industrial safety in regional and developing-country settings.