The role of human factors in transport accident investigation

Abstract

In the immediate aftermath of major transport accidents, there are often calls for
blame and accusations of ‘human error’. From the perspective of human factors and
ergonomics (HF/E), though, any such errors are the starting point – not the conclusion –
of a safety investigation into the deeper, sociotechnical system factors that created the
context for the accident to occur. This paper aims to challenge both investigators and
HF/E practitioners regarding both the integration and boundaries of HF/E in transport
accident investigations. The systems model aligns with the approaches taken by the
major transport accident investigation bodies around the world. But there remain barriers in integrating HF/E within investigations, not least around the validity and usability
of causal analysis methods. Similarly, although techniques for interviewing witnesses
are well served in the literature, there is a gap in the HF/E knowledge base concerning
guidance for collecting and analysing evidence relating to human factors in a safety
investigation, due to the variable nature of human performance. Such variability can
also be at the heart of many positive outcomes aside from accidents and incidents
which, whilst seemingly contrary to the very approach of investigating accidents, can
also be integrated into a safety investigation. This paper concludes by considering
how the HF/E perspective applies to the ultimate output of safety investigations in the
form of recommendations

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Identifiers

ORCID for Mark S. Young: orcid.org/0009-0001-2594-453X

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