How Human Factors, Human Error & SMS Are Connected
Over the past six months, we have shared insights about near-misses, the PEAR Model, the Swiss Cheese Model and lessons learned from Human Factors.
At first glance, they may seem like separate topics. Together, they tell one story about how organisations can better understand people and strengthen safety through continuous improvement and risk management.
Curiosity is always a good starting point.
Every incident, near-miss, or unexpected outcome leaves us with a choice. We can ask who was involved and who made the error. But it is always easy to blame. Instead, we should ask what happened, why it made sense at the time, and what we can learn from it.
That shift in perspective is fundamental to improving safety.
Once we stop looking for blame, we start looking beneath the surface.
People never work in isolation. Their decisions are influenced by the environment around them, the resources available, the tasks they’re performing and, of course, their individual capabilities. That’s why we explored the PEAR Model.
The model inspires us to consider multiple factors when designing and implementing Human Factors programmes and the systems in which people work. We must always consider the People who do the job, the Environment in which they work, the Actions they perform, and the Resources necessary to complete the work.
Accidents are rarely caused by a single error. That is one of the reasons the Swiss Cheese Model has remained relevant for decades.
Accidents happen when several weaknesses align. Not because one person makes a mistake. That is also the thinking behind every effective Safety Management System.
Safety is strengthened by designing organisations and systems that recognise human fallibility and continuously learn from operational experience.
Looking back at the first half of 2026, one message connects every article we’ve shared.
Human Factors more than a collection of models or theories. Human Factors is a way of thinking. A mindset which helps organisations move beyond blaming individuals within a complex system.
The goal is not simply to reduce human error. It is to build organisations that are better at learning and adapting – thus strengthening safety every single day.
