Latent human error

A latent human error is a human error which is likely to be made due to systems or routines that are formed in such a way that humans are disposed to making these errors. Latent human error is a term used in safety work and accident prevention, especially in aviation.

By gathering data about errors made, then collating, grouping and analyzing them, it can be determined whether a disproportionate amount of similar errors are being made. If this is the case, a contributing factor may be disharmony between the respective systems/routines and human nature or propensities. The routines or systems can then be analyzed, potential problems identified, and amendments made if necessary, in order to prevent future errors, incidents or accidents.

See also

• Air safety
• Error

Further reading

• James Reason: Human Error, Cambridge University Press; 1st edition (October 26, 1990) ISBN 978-0-521-31419-0

External links

• Erik Hollnagel, "The Elusiveness of "Human Error"", 2005
• Human error: models and management – James Reason British Medical Journal 2000;320:768–70 (Internet Archive)
• Human factors view of accident causation