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3.3 Human Factors Influence Safety Related Behaviour

Human factors influence behaviour at work

The term “Human Factors” covers a wide range of issues
such as the perceptual, mental and physical capabilities
of people and the interactions of individuals with their job
and working environments. It also considers the influence
of equipment and system design on human performance
and the organisational characteristics that influence
safety related behaviour at work.

The managers and workers decision and actions can
prevent or cause harm. The individuals are blamed
directly who are involved in causing harm. This neglects
the root causes that contributed to the accident and ill
health. These are usually deep-rooted in organisation’s
design, management and decision making and are
extremely influenced by the human factors. Human Factors - Source HSE, UK

HSG48 identifies the three important human factors
that have a significant effect on the behaviour of individuals at work, these are the

• Organisation factor – culture, leadership, resources, work patterns, communications.

• Job factor – task, workload, environment, display & controls, procedures.

• Individual factor – competence, skills, personality, attitude, risk perception.

Organisational Factor

Organisational factor which influences worker’s behavior:

• Safety culture of the organisation – the way the individual or the group adapt safety culture
in an organisation.

• Policies and procedures – the availability and the quality of the health and safety policy in an
organisation might inspire or distress safety related behaviour. For example, clear policy for
bullying and harassment is strictly prohibited in the workplace, bullying activity is intolerable
and punishable.

• Leadership and commitment from the top management – the commitment and
leadership from the top management may also have positive or negative effect on the health
and safety behaviour of others within the organisation. The workers are greatly influenced by
the senior management and consider them as their role models. The senior management
should show their commitment and leadership in a positive way and support decisions to
manage health and safety.

ENSIGN| Unit IG1 – Element 3 – Managing Risks – Understanding People and Processes 13