Certified Safety Professional Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Human Factors Theory emphasizes the role of human behavior and cognition in the occurrence of accidents. It posits that a significant proportion of incidents can be traced back to human error, which includes mistakes made by individuals due to various factors such as decision-making errors, miscommunications, or lapses in attention. This concept suggests that while environmental factors, inadequate training, and system failures can contribute to accidents, it is often the human element—how individuals interact with their environment and the systems in place—that plays the central role in causing accidents.

The theory also encompasses the idea that human error can often be influenced by the design of systems, processes, and workplace environments, indicating that while accidents may be attributed to individual actions, they can also be viewed as a result of system design that does not account for human capabilities and limitations. Thus, recognizing the impact of human error is crucial in developing strategies for accident prevention and improving overall safety outcomes.