Comparison of four major industrial disasters from the perspective of human error factor

Abstract

This paper presents the preliminary findings of a project still in progress at INCDPM regarding” Knowledge transfer partnership and research development in the assessment and prevention of occupational risks which may conduct to disaster”. After studying the major industrial disasters of our times, it become clear that even with technological advancement, human error is still the major cause of accidents and incidents. Analysis of human error and their role in accidents is an important part of developing systematic methods for reliability in the industry and risk prediction. To obtain data for predictive analysis is necessary to analyse accidents and incidents to identify its causes in terms of component failures and human errors. Therefore, a proper understanding of human factors in the workplace is an important aspect in the prevention of accidents, and human factors should be considered in any program to prevent those that are caused by human error. The comparison between four major industrial disasters (Chernobyl, Bhopal, Deepwater Horizon, Alpha Piper) was made using Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS), a modified version of “Swiss Cheese” model that describes the levels at which active failures and latent failures/conditions may occur within complex operations.