Human Error: Slip, Lapse, Error in Judgement or Non-Compliance?

Human error is predictable and manageable within safety systems. By learning from incidents proactively, we can implement improvements before problems occur.

Understanding why errors happen helps identify necessary control measures. Multiple 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 judgement or decision-making

• Missed procedural steps

• Deliberate violations or non-compliance

Common Contributing Factors

Poor design, excessive workload, distractions, fatigue, insufficient training, inadequate equipment, low morale and suboptimal working environments all contribute to human error.

Risk Reduction Strategies

Involving workers in task design is highly effective as those performing tasks daily provide invaluable insights. Structured risk assessments identify problems and root causes, enabling implementation of appropriate control measures with regular review..

Human Reliability Analysis (HRA)

Human Reliability Analysis (HRA) provides systematic methods to identify potential errors in complex systems, helping organisations understand how human actions contribute to failures and develop targeted reduction strategies.

Further guidance available on the HSE website.