The elephant in the room: Normal performance and accident analysis

Paul M. Salmon*, Natassia Goode, Erin Stevens, Guy Walker, Neville A. Stanton

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Accidents, accident causation, and accident prevention remain key themes within human factors and ergonomics research efforts worldwide. Accordingly, there are a range of well-developed models of accident causation and various methodologies to support accident analysis efforts. State of the art models propose a number of features of accident causation that go beyond operator errors and failed defenses. Once such feature now widely accepted is the notion that ‘normal performance’ plays a role in accidents; that is everyday behaviors not deemed to be errors or failures at the time of occurrence, are implicated in causal networks. Despite this, it is questionable whether our accident analysis methodologies are equipped to identify normal performance and its role in accidents. This paper examines this, reviewing current state of the art accident analysis methods along with their previous applications. It is concluded that, of the three methods reviewed, only one (Accimap) is currently capable of considering normal performance (at least without reclassifying it as a failure or error of some sort). The implications for accident analysis methodologies and practice are discussed and future methodological requirements are articulated.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEngineering Psychology and Cognitive Ergonomics
Subtitle of host publication12th International Conference, EPCE 2015, Held as Part of HCI International 2015, Los Angeles, CA, USA, August 2-7, 2015, Proceedings
PublisherSpringer
Pages275-285
Number of pages11
Volume9174
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-319-20373-7
ISBN (Print)978-3-319-20372-0
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015
Event12th International Conference on Engineering Psychology and Cognitive Ergonomics, Held as Part of HCI International 2015 - Los Angeles, United States
Duration: 2 Aug 20157 Aug 2015

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science
Volume9174
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Conference

Conference12th International Conference on Engineering Psychology and Cognitive Ergonomics, Held as Part of HCI International 2015
Abbreviated titleEPCE 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityLos Angeles
Period2/08/157/08/15

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Science(all)
  • Theoretical Computer Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The elephant in the room: Normal performance and accident analysis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this