Lessons Learned from Covid-19 Towards Resilience of Complex Industrial Systems

Abstract

The emergency of the COVID-19 pandemic spreading in different waves marked an unprecedented world crisis considered as the most critical one since the Second World War. To contain the pandemic spread, governments implemented both prevention measures to limit the occurrence of undesired events and protective measures to reduce the severity of potential consequences, e.g. physical distancing, travel restrictions, working remotely, wearing face masks and prolonged closures of schools and non-essential businesses industries. Consequently, there were substantial economic setbacks and operational disruptions, reduced logistical and productivity performances, in addition to evident health and social impacts. To learn remarkable lessons from COVID-19 experience, this work analysed results of an ad hoc questionnaire to collect workers’ perceptions and to evaluate systems vulnerability and response ability of ensuring business continuity. The data obtained from questionnaires and accident records were processed by a multi-step methodology, to attain descriptive and inferential statistical analyses and identify statistically significant relationships on accident dynamics. Outcome of the study can help improving organizational resilience of systems, referring to its ability to monitor, respond, anticipate and learn, to achieve improved safety levels and support operational continuity, under possible future unexpected events.