Using HFACS to understand human error in railway dispatcher performance: a study of proactive safety inspection records

This study analyzes 4,095 proactive safety inspection records obtained from a large dispatching centre by utilising the HFACS framework. These proactive safety inspection records offer comprehensive documentation of incidents, capturing major accidents and numerous minor discrepancies and lapses that often go unnoticed in accident reports. The analysis revealed that most incidents were attributed to unsafe actions, primarily skill-based errors and poor decision-making. Additionally, contributing factors such as adverse mental states, personal readiness, and crew resource management were found to play a significant role as preconditions for unsafe acts. Path analyses further established a significant correlation between factors such as unsafe supervision, preconditions for unsafe acts, and the occurrence of unsafe acts. In their discussion, the authors critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of proactive safety inspection records in safety research. Moreover, the authors emphasise these findings’ potential to enhance safety within the railway industry.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2023.2287975
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00140139
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Abstract reprinted with permission of Taylor & Francis.
• Authors:
  • Guo, Zizheng
  • Pang, Huishan
  • Zhang, Jingyu
  • Zhang, Jun
  • Wang, Jiazhe
  • He, Chuanning
  • Li, Chengen
• Publication Date: 2025-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 37-50
• Serial:
  • Ergonomics
  • Volume: 68
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Taylor & Francis
  • ISSN: 0014-0139
  • EISSN: 1366-5847
  • Serial URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/terg20

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash records; Dispatchers; Human error; Human factors in crashes; Inspection; Railroad crashes; Railroad safety
• Identifier Terms: Human Factors Analysis and Classification System
• Subject Areas: Planning and Forecasting; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01944224
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 28 2025 2:05PM