Human factors and their influence on safety performance

Human factors and their influence on safety performance 

This study indicated that for every 10 near misses, there will be an accident. While the accuracy of this study may be debated and other studies have produced different ratios, it is clear that if near misses are continually ignored, an accident will result. Further, the HSE Accident Prevention Unit has suggested that 90% of all accidents are due to human error and 70% of all accidents could have been avoided by earlier (proactive) action by management. It is clear from many research projects that the major factors in most accidents are human factors. 

The HSE has defined human factors as, environmental, organizational and job factors, and human and individual characteristics which influence behaviour at work in a way which can affect health and safety . 

In simple terms, the health and safety of people at work are influenced by  

These are known as human factors since they each have a human involvement. The personal factors which differentiate one person from another are only one part of those factors - and not always the most important. Each of these elements will be considered in turn. 

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