Human error

Studies suggest that up to 80% of accident causes are contributed to some form of human failure. These failures are either people

* Meaning to do the right thing but making a slip or lapse of attention and ending up getting wrong;
* Thinking they are doing the right thing, doing it perfectly but it turns out they made the wrong decision or selection at the start;
* Choosing to do the wrong thing by violating a rule or procedure.

The important thing to realise that human failures are not random events and are actually caused. This means they can be predicted and their likelihood reduced. HSE guidance document HSG48 shows that the causes fall into three main categories:

* Job factors - illogical design of equipment, disturbances and interruptions, poor instructions, poorly maintained equipment, high workload and unpleasant working conditions;
* Individual factors - low skill and competence levels, tired staff, bored or disheartened staff or individual medical problems;
* Organisational and management factors - poor work planning, leading to high work pressure, lack of safety systems and barriers, inadequate responses to previous incidents, management based on one-way communications, poor health and safety culture.

Understanding the root causes of human failures and general performance problems is essential if effective solutions are to be developed.