Human Error...slip, lapse, error in judgement or non-compliance?

Human error is both predictable and manageable within safety systems. By taking a proactive approach and learning from previous incidents, we can implement improvements before further problems occur.

Understanding why errors happen—even among experienced workers—helps identify necessary control measures. Multiple underlying factors typically contribute to each incident, requiring systematic thinking to reduce workplace errors and prevent system failures.

Types of Human Error

Slips or lapses in attention

Errors in judgment or decision-making

Missed procedural steps

Deliberate violations or non-compliance

Common Contributing Factors

Poor interface or process design

Excessive workload or time pressure

Concentration issues or distractions

Fatigue or stress

Insufficient experience or training

Inadequate equipment or tools

Incompetency

Low workplace morale

Suboptimal working environment (noise, temperature, lighting)

Communication system deficiencies

Involving workers in task and procedure design is one of the most effective strategies for risk reduction. Those who perform tasks daily possess invaluable insights and can provide practical recommendations for improvement.

Structured risk assessments help identify potential problems and investigate root causes, enabling the implementation of appropriate control measures. These measures should be regularly reviewed, as consistent evaluation and user feedback significantly reduce error and accident rates.

Human Reliability Analysis (HRA) provides a systematic method to identify and analyse potential human errors in complex systems. This approach helps organisations understand how human actions contribute to system failures and develop targeted strategies to reduce error likelihood.

Useful reading can be found on the HSE website here.