A comparison of accident analysis techniques for safety-critical man–machine systems.pdf

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 25 (2000) 327}347 A comparison of accident analysis techniques for safety-critical man}machine systems Tom Kontogiannis!,*, Vrassidas Leopoulos, Nikos Marmaras !Department of Production Engineering and Management, Technical University of Crete, GR 73100 Chania, Crete, Greece Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Greece Received 23 February 1999; accepted 20 April 1999 Abstract The complexity of modern industrial systems has prompted the development of accident analysis techniques focusing on specialised aspects of the system. Although it is di$cult to nd a single technique that would integrate the di!erent types of analysis (e.g. event analysis, human error analysis, and causal factors analysis), accident analysis techniques should provide appropriate input to others investigating complementary aspects of the system. To full this requirement, this article proposes a taxonomy of criteria for the assessment and revision of system engineering techniques that have been applied to accident analysis. The proposed criteria are illustrated in the context of three techniques, i.e. fault trees, sequentially Timed Events Plotting, and Petri Nets. The Piper Alpha incident has been selected as a case study to illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of the three accident analysis techniques. Extensions of the notation of these techniques are suggested in order to generate appropriate information for the analysis of human errors, error recovery paths and causal factors at the workplace and organisational levels. Relevance to industry Accident analysis techniques are essential in learning lessons and preventing similar unfortunate events in future. Advances in human error research provide useful opportunities for improving the e!ectiveness and usability of these techniques. A set of assessment criteria are proposed to provide a basis for further developments in accident analysis techniques. ( 20