Associations between task, training and social environmental factors and error types involved in rail incidents and accidents

Rail accidents can be understood in terms of the systemic and individual contributions to their causation. The current study was undertaken to determine whether errors and violations are more often associated with different local and organisational factors that contribute to rail accidents. The Contributing Factors Framework (CFF), a tool developed for the collection and codification of data regarding rail accidents and incidents, was applied to a sample of investigation reports. In addition, a more detailed categorisation of errors was undertaken. Ninety-six investigation reports into Australian accidents and incidents occurring between 1999 and 2008 were analysed. Each report was coded independently by two experienced coders. Task demand factors were significantly more often associated with skill-based errors, knowledge and training deficiencies significantly associated with mistakes, and violations significantly linked to social environmental factors.

► Individual actions, local conditions and organisational factors were identified from rail safety investigation reports. ► Task demand factors were significantly associated with skill-based errors. ► Knowledge and training factors were significantly associated with mistakes. ► Social environmental factors were associated with violations. ► The findings were consistent with psychological theory and research in other industries.