Human error assessment and reduction technique

<p>Human error assessment and reduction technique (HEART) is a technique used in the field of <a href="/facts/Human_reliability/MNLEE9sA">human reliability</a> assessment (HRA), for the purposes of evaluating the <a href="/facts/Probability/fgYvMhwb">probability</a> of a human error occurring throughout the completion of a specific task.  From such analyses measures can then be taken to reduce the likelihood of errors occurring within a system and therefore lead to an improvement in the overall levels of safety.  There exist three primary reasons for conducting an HRA: error identification, error quantification, and error reduction.  As there exist a number of techniques used for such purposes, they can be split into one of two classifications: first-generation techniques and second generation techniques.  First generation techniques work on the basis of the simple dichotomy of 'fits/doesn't fit' in the matching of the error situation in context with related error identification and quantification and second generation techniques are more theory based in their assessment and <a href="/facts/Quantification_(science)/5YoKbeTW">quantification</a> of errors.  HRA techniques have been used in a range of industries including <a href="/facts/Healthcare/LPS1WKbI">healthcare</a>, <a href="/facts/Engineering/RFVg8H3I">engineering</a>, nuclear, transportation, and business sectors. Each technique has varying uses within different disciplines.
</p><p>HEART method is based upon the principle that every time a task is performed there is a possibility of failure and that the <a href="/facts/Probability/fgYvMhwb">probability</a> of this is affected by one or more Error Producing Conditions (EPCs) – for instance: distraction, tiredness, cramped conditions etc. – to varying degrees.  Factors which have a significant effect on performance are of greatest interest.  These conditions can then be applied to a "best-case-scenario" estimate of the failure probability under ideal conditions to then obtain a final error chance.  This figure assists in communication of error chances with the wider <a href="/facts/Risk_analysis_(engineering)/uN0szFKC">risk analysis</a> or safety case.  By forcing consideration of the EPCs potentially affecting a given procedure, HEART also has the indirect effect of providing a range of suggestions as to how the reliability may therefore be improved (from an <a href="/facts/Ergonomic/prAcGtDW">ergonomic</a> standpoint) and hence minimising risk.
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Human error assessment and reduction technique open-in-new

Human error assessment and reduction technique