Answer
Human error is normally only the visible unsafe act. During casualty investigation I will not stop there. I will investigate the human factors such as fatigue, competence, communication, workload and situational awareness, and then the wider human element including manning, SMS, company management, safety culture and equipment design. The purpose is to identify causal and contributing factors and prevent recurrence, rather than merely blame the individual.
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Human Element | Entire human and organizational system surrounding ship operation | Crew, company, training, SMS, regulator, equipment design, safety culture |
| Human Factor | Condition influencing a person's performance | Fatigue, stress, workload, poor communication |
| Human Error | Actual incorrect action/decision/omission | Officer forgets to change course |