Discuss the causes of workplace accidents based on the Human Factors Theory and its consequences. Recommend ways to reduce workplace accidents in the selected organisation.

Question

Select ONE (1) organisation that you are familiar with. Discuss the causes of workplace accidents based on the Human Factors Theory and its consequences. Recommend ways to reduce workplace accidents in the selected organisation.

1. Clear introduction of all of the following:

·     Name of the organisation

·     Products and services

·     Type of industry

·     Number of employees

2. Able to discuss four (4) causes of workplace accidents based on the Human Factors Theory and supported with relevant examples.

3. Able to discuss four (4) consequences of workplace accidents and supported with relevant examples.

4. Four (4) feasible recommendations were given and supported with clear justification.

Answer 1

1. Introduction

Organization: A national HR outsourcing firm (name withheld)

Products/Services: HR, payroll, safety, and compliance support for transportation clients

Industry: Professional Employer Organization (PEO), focused on high-risk sectors like trucking and logistics

Employees: ~100 internal staff; ~40,000 client worksite employees (WSEs) nationwide

2. Causes of Workplace Accidents (Human Factors Theory)

Human error often boils down to overload, inappropriate responses, or misaligned actions.

1. Fatigue and Mental Overload
2. Long-haul drivers often operate under tight delivery windows. Fatigue reduces alertness, slows reaction time, and increases the chance of mistakes.
3. Distraction and Complacency
4. Repetitive tasks create a false sense of control. One driver backed into a loading dock while replying to dispatch — just one second of inattention.
5. Training Gaps or Miscommunication
6. Safety procedures don’t mean much if they’re not understood. In this org, many employees spoke English as a second language, and some safety instructions didn’t land clearly.
7. Mismatch Between Worker and Task
8. Assigning a worker to physically demanding tasks without proper tools or accommodations often leads to strains, sprains, or worse.

3. Consequences of Workplace Accidents

1. Injury or Loss of Life
2. Beyond statistics, every injury has a human story — time lost, pain endured, and families affected.
3. Financial Strain
4. One back injury claim? It can cost tens of thousands. Add time off, replacement labor, and legal risk, and the costs multiply quickly.
5. Drop in Morale and Productivity
6. Accidents shake confidence. Productivity dips, and people start wondering, “Am I next?”
7. Reputation Damage
8. Clients trust the PEO to help prevent problems — when incidents spike, so do questions about leadership, reliability, and compliance.

4. Recommendations

1. Revamp Training With Simpler, Smarter Tools
2. Use more visuals, bilingual support, and short-form video. Safety needs to stick — not just get signed off.
3. Fatigue and Wellness Checks
4. Support clients in scheduling smarter shifts, creating hydration stations, and building in stretch breaks to reduce preventable incidents.
5. Better Task-to-Worker Fit
6. Train managers to assess physical fit before assigning labor-intensive tasks. It's not just about compliance — it's about care.
7. Build a Real Safety Culture
8. Celebrate near-miss reports. Highlight safe behaviors. Make safety everyone’s business — not just the safety team’s.