About
Given that the majority of accidents happen as a result of human factors, such as lack of situational awareness or inadequate perception of hazards, an accident investigation process would be incomplete without a strong focus on human factors.
This course will highlight how each facet of an accident is influenced by human factors and that you must question not only what people did, but why they did it. As part of the course, we will examine a hypothetical workplace accident from the human factors perspective to identify possible errors and recommendations for safety improvements.
Key Learning Objectives
- Understand the wide range of human factors and how they can contribute to accidents and near-misses
- Discover how limitations in human performance can cause or contribute to accidents
- Know how to conduct a comprehensive investigation focusing on human factors
- Find the root causes through an accident analysis
- Identify safety hazards conducive to human error
- Make recommendations to eliminate or reduce the consequences of faulty actions or decisions made by individuals or groups
- Know how to use interviews of witnesses to identify patterns of behaviour
- Understanding of models that may help investigations of human factor contributors in accidents
Training methodology
The course includes case studies, a mock accident analysis, group exercises and accident models. Each participant will receive a certificate of completion and a hard copy workbook for future reference.
Outline
Course Outline
Getting started – Objectives in the human factors investigation
The main focus will be on what you need to do to ensure your investigation identifies not only immediate causes but also underlying causes and system failures.
- Why and when to investigate
- What to investigate?
- How to conduct the investigation
- Who needs to be involved?
- What information will you need?
- Key questions to ask
Finding the root cause: Investigating the performance influencing factors
Accidents can rarely be attributed to a single cause. All factors such as training, communication, supervision, workplace design, resources, roles and responsibilities must be examined to determine what role each had in causing the accident.
- The top 10 human factors most likely to contribute to accidents
- Why did it happen? Examining events taking place before and during the accident
- Dealing with an “after the fact” situation and preserving evidence
- Collecting human factor evidence in an accident investigation
- Identifying witnesses
- The human factor: pointing out human error without laying blame
- Accident analysis
Scope of the human factors investigation
- Investigating the possible effects of physical, psychological, psychosocial factors
- Explaining the behaviour behind unsafe act
- Difference between active and latent failures
- Safe working capability
- Situational awareness
- Perception of hazards
- Decision-making capability at time of accident
- Why some people take risks
- Determining the effect of workload, operational pressures, stress, actions of others on accident causation
- Dealing with “that’s the way we do things around here” attitudes
Building on Lessons Learnt: Recommendations for corrective action
- Making changes for continuous improvement
- Changing workplace culture
- Ensure that human factors are considered as an integral part of H&S strategies
- Reducing error and influencing behaviour
- Ensuring that everyone understands how the accident occurred and the actions in place to prevent it from happening again
- Monitoring progress of corrective actions
Facilitator
Eric Holliday
Eric has extensive systems management, auditing, research & development, consulting and training experience in both Risk and general Health & Safety Management, built on a solid Engineering background. This includes 4 years initiating, establishing and heading the Maritime department of South Africa’s largest Health & Safety Consultancy, before starting a successful safety consultancy active in General Industry safety as well as working in two specialist areas: Human Factors (focussing particularly on the Transport Industry), and risk management intervention in the general and Maritime Industries. He has continued gaining local experience in these disciplines since arriving in New Zealand 10 years ago.
In addition to his specialist knowledge and involvement in Risk Management Systems (ISO 31 000 series) and Health & Safety Management Systems (ACC WSMP, NZS 4801, ISO 18 001, etc), Eric also has a good working background and understanding of Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14 000 series) as well as Quality Management Systems based on the ISO 9 000 series.
During his time as a Health & Safety Consultant, he has worked closely with, and provided training, consulting, auditing and system development / implementation services to organisations over a wide industry spectrum, ranging from the Nuclear Power industry to mining and commercial fishing clients in many parts of the world, including Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Namibia and South Africa.
Eric’s expertise covers a broad range of risk and safety-related subjects, including safety management systems, risk management, behavioural-based safety / human factors and specialist accident investigation / causation analysis.
In-house Training
Sorry, this event currently has no dates scheduled.
Register now
This event currently has no scheduled dates.
