UNDERSTANDING HUMAN ERROR:

Exploring Causes and Strategies for Prevention, Part 1 & 2 of 4

                

By Michael Topf, MA

Human error can adversely affect many aspects of what we do each day, at home or at work. And the results can be costly, even tragic. Ships running aground, explosions, spills, incorrect shipments, patients receiving the wrong medication, damaged equipment hampering production and profits, are only some of the possible results. The short and long range effects are unfathomable. We’re still haunted today by memories of the Exxon Valdez, 3 Mile Island and Bhopal. For over 25 years, I’ve studied and addressed the various human factors that cause errors. Let me share some of my findings and suggest some skills needed to reduce, and even eliminate, errors.

 

How Understanding Can Improve Business

 

Business leaders today need to identify methods to prevent errors in all aspects of their operations. Understanding the causes of human error and how to reduce them can improve:

 

· the quality of systems, products and services

· the safety, health and well-being of employees,

         customers and the public

 

Regardless of their position or level of experience, everyone operating in the marketplace needs to work optimally, with the least chance for error. In this way, organizations become more successful and better able to carry out their missions, minimizing negative consequences.

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The Alternative Workforce:  Safety, Health & Environmental

Management Challenges When Employees Work Remotely

By Michael D. Topf, MA

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A Changing Workforce

 

It is estimated that between 30 and 40 million people in the US are now either telecommuters or home-based employees.  Sales and service personnel, working in primarily non-supervised situations, also constitute a large percentage of our workforce whether traditionally employed or working as subcontractors. 

 

The growing trend toward building an alternative workplace, including various combinations of non-traditional work settings, practices and locations, is accompanied by some unique management challenges for SH&E excellence.  Safety professionals require skills to help prevent accidents and incidents in these situations; alternative employees require personal or self-management skills to help them take responsibility for SH&E performance.

 

Going Home

 

Several large U.S. companies that are pioneers in this arena, including AT&T, IBM, PeopleSoft, American Express, Lucent Technologies and Merrill Lynch, have achieved tangible and intangible benefits from their initiatives in recent years.  Pharmaceutical companies employ thousands of sales and detail people who travel alone to physicians’ offices, pharmacies, supermarkets and the like.  Machinery and parts manufacturers, computer hardware and software manufacturers, as well as many other companies that supply to an intermediary manufacturer or the end-user, have scores of service reps, mechanics and service personnel who travel and work in unfamiliar environments posing an ongoing challenge for their safety, health and well-being.  Today, paperwork and reports can be generated from one’s laptop or home PC, hotel or other mobile office as easily as from any central workplace.  Telecommuting, work performed electronically wherever the worker chooses, generally supplements the traditional workforce.

.  .  .  ON PERSONAL WELLNESS