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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Accepted VersionCC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
State of science: evolving perspectives on 'human error'
Ergonomics, Vol.64(9), pp.1091-1114
2021
PMID: 34243698
Abstract
This paper reviews the key perspectives on human error and analyses the core theories and methods developed and applied over the last 60 years. These theories and methods have sought to improve our understanding of what human error is, and how and why it occurs, to facilitate the prediction of errors and use these insights to support safer work and societal systems. Yet, while this area of Ergonomics and Human Factors (EHF) has been influential and long-standing, the benefits of the 'human error approach' to understanding accidents and optimising system performance have been questioned. This state of science review analyses the construct of human error within EHF. It then discusses the key conceptual difficulties the construct faces in an era of systems EHF. Finally, a way forward is proposed to prompt further discussion within the EHF community.
Details
- Title
- State of science: evolving perspectives on 'human error'
- Authors
- Gemma J. M Read (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for Human Factors and Systems ScienceSteven Shorrock (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for Human Factors and Systems ScienceGuy H Walker (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for Human Factors and Systems SciencePaul M Salmon (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science
- Publication details
- Ergonomics, Vol.64(9), pp.1091-1114
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Date published
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.1080/00140139.2021.1953615
- ISSN
- 1366-5847; 0014-0139
- PMID
- 34243698
- Copyright note
- © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.
- Grant note
- Guy Walker’s contribution to this work was funded through the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council project Centre for Sustainable Road Freight [EP/R035199/1]
- Organisation Unit
- Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science; School of Health - Psychology; School of Law and Society
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99571607402621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Engineering, Industrial
- Ergonomics
- Psychology
- Psychology, Applied
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