The Role of Human Factors in Led Outdoor Activity Incidents: Literature Review and Exploratory Analysis

Human Factors Team, Monash University Accident Research Centre

The aim of this research was to explore the involvement of Human Factors in led outdoor activity incidents, and to suggest and to demonstrate the utility of a framework for studying such incidents.

This research involved the following tasks:

1. Literature review. A literature review focussing on led outdoor activity accidents and incidents was undertaken. The aim of the review was to ascertain what is currently known about such accidents and incidents, to distil the Human Factors issues which have already been implicated, to identify gaps in current knowledge, and to suggest a more comprehensive and relevant framework to aid the understanding of incident causation in the led outdoor activity sector.

2. Exploratory case study analyses. In order to demonstrate the potential utility of applying theoretically underpinned, systems-based accident analysis methodologies within the led outdoor activity domain, three led outdoor activity accidents were analysed using two systems-based accident analysis methods. The findings from these analyses were then compared to those derived from an analysis, which used a framework developed in the led outdoor activity domain.

3. Workshop. A workshop involving project stakeholders, led outdoor activity personnel, and researchers from MUARC was held in order to disseminate the research findings and to determine the most appropriate way forward for the subsequent phases of this research.

Download the Executive Summary (PDF 60KB)

Download the Full Final Report (PDF 3MB)

See a presentation on the literature review (PDF 900KB) made to a stakeholder group in September 2009

See a presentation of exploratory case studies (PDF 1.3MB) made to a stakeholder group in September 2009

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