About the Author
Steven Shorrock is an interdisciplinary humanistic, systems and design practitioner interested in human work from multiple perspectives.
Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol) & Chartered Ergonomist and Human Factors Specialist (CErgHF)
Search Results for: human error
‘Human error’ in the headlines: Press reporting on Virgin Galactic
Again, a familiar smoke pattern has emerged from the ashes of a high-profile accident. The National Transportation Safety Board held a hearing in Washington D.C. on 28 July 2015 on the Virgin Galactic crash over California on October 31, 2014. … Continue reading
Posted in Human Factors/Ergonomics, Safety, Systems Thinking
Tagged accidents, blame, ergonomics, human error, human factors, Language, safety-I, safety-II, social media, Systems Thinking
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Is ‘human error’ the handicap of human factors? A discussion among human factors specialists.
Following most major accidents, one phrase is almost guaranteed to headline in the popular press: ‘human error’. The concept is also popular in the ergonomics and human factors (EHF) discipline and profession; it is probably among the most profitable in … Continue reading
Posted in Human Factors/Ergonomics, Safety, Systems Thinking
Tagged accidents, ergonomics, human error, human factors, safety, safety-I, safety-II, Systems Thinking
2 Comments
‘Human error’: Still undefined after all these years
Despite the pervasive and controversial nature of the notion of ‘human error’ in academia, industry and society more generally, there is still – after several decades of research – little agreement on what ‘human error’ means. Tom Singleton (1973) stated that, on attempting … Continue reading
Life After ‘Human Error’ – Velocity Europe 2014
This is a keynote address from Velocity Europe 2014 in Barcelona on 17 November. I wanted to give a fairly light presentation (it was first slot in the morning!) to summarise some key issues in moving on from a focus … Continue reading
Posted in Human Factors/Ergonomics, Safety, Systems Thinking
Tagged blame, carelessness, human error, human factors, safety, safety-I, safety-II, Systems Thinking
5 Comments
Occupational Overuse Syndrome – Human Error Variant (OOS-HEV)
Occupational Overuse Syndrome – Human Error Variant (OOS-HEV) is a condition involving the overuse of the notion of ‘human error’ to explain unwanted events in complex systems. The condition develops as the result of a number of factors such as the desire … Continue reading
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a human error!
Human error usually gets a bad press. But not on this day in September 1944. Sometimes, just sometimes, errors save lives…
Posted in Safety
Tagged human error
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The HAL 9000 explanation: “It can only be attributable to human error”
In 2001: A Space Odyssey, there is a problem aboard Discovery One. The HAL 9000 computer, artificial intelligence which can talk and mimic the human brain, announces a problem. HAL: “I’ve just picked up a fault in the AE35 unit. … Continue reading
‘Human error’: The handicap of human factors, safety and justice
“Oh my God. I told those guys at safety that it was dangerous and one day we would lose concentration and pay for it. I already told those guys at safety that it was very dangerous! We are human and … Continue reading
What Human Factors isn’t: 4. A Cause of Accidents
‘Human Factors’ (or Ergonomics) is often presented as something that it’s not, or as something that is only a small part of the whole. Rather than just explain what Human Factors is, in this sporadic series of short posts I … Continue reading
Posted in Human Factors/Ergonomics
Tagged accidents, causation, human factors, myths, root cause, safety, safety-I, safety-II
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What Human Factors isn’t: 3. Off-the-shelf Behaviour Modification Training
‘Human Factors’ (or Ergonomics) is often presented as something that it’s not, or as something that is only a small part of the whole. Rather than just explain what Human Factors is, in this sporadic series of short posts I … Continue reading
Posted in Human Factors/Ergonomics
Tagged behaviour modification, design, human factors, human-centred design, myths, training
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