Learn How HFACS Can Help You Figure Out the Why

In simple terms, the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) is a tool that can help you unravel the events that led up to an accident.

How HFACS Works

Accidents can rarely be attributed to one single cause, and most are caused by human error. These errors are often the result of a complicated mix of human factors that go beyond one individual’s lack of ability.

Human factors describe how a person’s interaction with tools, tasks, working environments and other people influence his or her performance.

HFACS provides a framework that guides you through the collection and analysis of human factors (data) linked to negative outcomes. HFACS is made up of four general categories of factors known to contribute to accidents and errors.

1. Unsafe Acts: Start at the lowest level and ask, “What did the person do (or not do) to cause the accident?”
2. Preconditions to Unsafe Acts: Find out why the unsafe act took place, including both situational factors and personnel factors. “Why did the person do this unsafe act?”
3. Supervisory Factors: Find out what, if any, actions/inactions of front-line supervisors impacted the outcome. “Who knew about the person’s preconditions but did not take the proper steps to avoid the unsafe act/condition?”
4. Organizational Influences: Decisions made at the very top can influence behavior. Maybe the procedures were not clear or the training inadequate? “Did policies, training, communications or funding have an impact?”

HFACS In the Military

In the DoD HFACS framework, these categories are further broken down into nanocodes that represent more specific actions and situations that may lead to errors. It includes investigative questions to help you select the right nanocode. By asking the right questions, you will better understand the underlying human factors that preceded a given unsafe act. For example, if the accident seemingly resulted from an unsafe act, you can start by asking if the person made a performance-based error, showed poor judgement/decision-making or violated a known regulation? If it was because he or she made a poor decision (honest mistake), did he or she:

• Fail to adequately evaluate the risks associated with a particular course of action?
• Fail to prioritize tasks?
• Ignore a caution or warning?
• Make the wrong choice of action during an operation?

And if he or she did make the wrong choice, why?

• Did a supervisor or supervision prove inadequate?
• Was the person properly trained?
• Was he or she provided with appropriate guidelines?

You see how this works. There are many ways to go about finding what caused an error, but it always comes down to first asking why something occurred. Start by asking what caused the problem to happen in the first place. Keep digging deeper until you can pinpoint specific processes, policies or procedures that didn’t work.

HFACS Prevents Future Accidents

Using HFACS suggests that, with few exceptions, errors are preventable. However, with human factors playing a lead role in most accidents, it seems unlikely that all can be avoided. But if you are able identify what led to an accident, you can lessen the impact of contributing factors or even prevent the same conditions from causing another accident. HFACS is a clever and comprehensive way to figure out what caused an error. Give your team a practical and portable reference to analyze errors and prevent future mishaps. For more information, see the QuickSeries® guide: HFACS 7.0 Checklist