Pathways to failure? Using work domain analysis to predict accidents in complex systems

Paul M Salmon; M G Lenne; Gemma J M Read; Guy H Walker; Neville A Stanton

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Pathways to failure? Using work domain analysis to predict accidents in complex systems

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Pathways to failure? Using work domain analysis to predict accidents in complex systems

Paul M Salmon, M G Lenne, Gemma J M Read, Guy H Walker and Neville A Stanton

Advances in Human Aspects of Transportation: Part II, pp.258-266

Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics (AHFE) International Conference, 5th (Krakow, Poland, 19-Jul-2014–23-Jul-2014)

AHFE Conference

2014

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Abstract

Psychology

Transportation and Freight Services

rail level crossing safety

accident prediction

cognitive work analysis

Forecasting accidents before they occur is the final frontier for safety science. Although this has long been recognized, the discipline of human factors has yet to produce an appropriate methodology for achieving this. This paper presents some of the findings from an exploratory study in which the abstraction hierarchy method from the work domain analysis phase of cognitive work analysis was used to predict potential accidents. Using rail level crossings as a test case, the exploratory study revealed that the abstraction hierarchy method was able to predict a range of failure pathways that could potentially lead to a collision between a road user and a train at rail level crossings. In addition, certain features of the abstraction hierarchy method were found to make it highly consistent with contemporary systems level views on accident causation, including that it provides a systems level analysis of potential accident pathways, that is does not support a focus on broken human components (since the abstraction hierarchy model is actor independent), and that the primary focus is on the relationships between components rather than the components themselves. Further testing of the approach is recommended, including sensitivity and validity testing whereby the predictions made are compared to real world events.

Details

Title: Pathways to failure? Using work domain analysis to predict accidents in complex systems
Authors: Paul M Salmon (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts and Business
M G Lenne (Author) - Monash University
Gemma J M Read (Author) - Monash University
Guy H Walker (Author) - Heriot-Watt University, United Kingdom
Neville A Stanton (Author) - University of Southampton, United Kingdom
Contributors: Neville A Stanton (Editor)
S Landry (Editor)
G Di Bucchianico (Editor)
A Vallicelli (Editor)
Publication details: Advances in Human Aspects of Transportation: Part II, pp.258-266
Conference details: Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics (AHFE) International Conference, 5th (Krakow, Poland, 19-Jul-2014–23-Jul-2014)
Publisher: AHFE Conference
Date published: 2014
ISBN: 9781495120985
Organisation Unit: Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Psychology; School of Law and Society
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99448933002621
Output Type: Conference paper

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