Understanding Human Contributions to Accidents

Accidents in the workplace often stem from human contributions, whether through immediate active failures or delayed latent failures.

Active Failures: These are immediate mistakes made by front-line staff—drivers, operators, and control room personnel. In high-risk environments, even minor errors can lead to severe health and safety risks.

Latent Failures: Often hidden within organizational structures, these failures are the result of poor design, inadequate training, ineffective supervision, and unclear roles. While they may not present immediate dangers, they can create conditions ripe for accidents when triggered by specific events.

Both types of failures highlight the importance of robust health and safety management systems. By recognizing and addressing these human factors, we can create safer workplaces and mitigate risks before they escalate.