James Reason, Who Used Swiss Cheese to Explain Human Error, Dies at 86
Briefly

James Reason, initially studying motion sickness, pivoted to focus on human error after a comical kitchen incident where he mistakenly poured cat food into a teapot. This experience sparked his interest in understanding the psychology behind why humans make mistakes, especially in high-risk environments. His extensive research in aviation, healthcare, and other sectors revealed that many errors result not from individual negligence, but from contextual factors, such as environmental cues and situational pressures, leading to better strategies in managing safety and performance.
The journey to understanding human error began with a simple kitchen mishap, leading James Reason to explore why even the most careful can falter under pressure.
His pioneering research into human errors in high-stakes environments revealed that mistakes often arise from context rather than individual failings, reshaping our approach to safety.
Read at www.nytimes.com
[
|
]