Human Performance
General Safety | 10-15 min
Summary
Human performance science examines why people make errors and how work systems can be designed to minimize the likelihood and consequences of those errors. The reality is that humans are fallible - we all make mistakes, even when highly trained and motivated. Rather than simply blaming workers when things go wrong, human performance approaches seek to understand the conditions that made error more likely.
Members get the full script, discussion questions, English + Spanish printable PDFs, and email delivery.
Start your 7-day free trialKey Points to Cover
- Humans are fallible and errors are inevitable
- Multiple factors contribute to human error
- Focus on conditions that enable errors, not just blaming workers
- Use multiple strategies to reduce errors and their consequences
- Create systems that tolerate human fallibility
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should this safety talk take?
Plan for about 10-15 min, with extra time for questions and site-specific examples.
Can I tailor the discussion to my workplace?
Yes. Use the key points as a starting place and connect them to the tasks, equipment, and procedures your team uses.