Human Factors Causing Accidents

Definition - What does Human Factors Causing Accidents mean?

Human factors causing accidents are those factors directly attributable to the operator, worker or personnel involved in an accident. A number of human behavioral factors may contribute to the accidents.

Safeopedia explains Human Factors Causing Accidents

Human factors are responsible for about 90% of accidents that occur in a workplace. The following human factors are common causes of accidents:

• Memory - Memory lapse may occur at any time
• Judgment and reasoning power - May be reduced due to many factors
• Attention - Failure to remain attentive or lack of attention
• Delayed or false sensation of the sensory organs - Failed senses that could otherwise stimulate a response to avoid the accident
• Competence - Lack of competence and experience
• Skills - Skill level of individuals is important in any accident avoidance
• Personality - Some are compromising while others are hardliner
• Attitude - Negligence, arrogance, boldness and overconfidence etc.
• Risk perception - Poor risk perception due to poor knowledge and experience
• Individual characteristics - Anger, temper, curiosity etc.

Accidents that are caused due to human factors may be prevented or reduced by the following preventative measures:

• Training and awareness
• Supervision, monitoring and controlling
• Feedback and reports
• Frequent inspections and audits
• Skill development
• Education