Resources

Articles

Enjoy the latest thinking on human behaviour, error patterns and the science of safety from our on-the-ground professionals.

SafeStart Articles
The Hierarchy of Controls and the Bowtie Model: A Reflective Perspective

Is PPE really the last line of defence? Larry Wilson & Dr Waddah S Al Hashmi challenge this idea, exploring how reflexes, human factors & safety habits play a crucial role in preventing serious incidents.

Read article
Complacency - The Silent Killer in Safety

Complacency is often the "silent killer" in safety, leading to a dangerous "mind not on task" state that contributes to more unintentional deaths than rushing or fatigue combined. Author Larry Wilson explores how even experts succumb to overconfidence and provides critical error reduction techniques to sharpen decision-making and rebuild safety-related habits.

Read article
The Irony and Agony of Human Error

This article highlights the importance of designing workplace safety systems that align with human nature, emphasizing the need to reduce frustration, fatigue, and complacency for better efficiency and safety.

Read article
Human Nature, Human Error and the System

Discover why we fail to learn from daily mistakes and how addressing rushing, frustration, fatigue, and complacency can significantly reduce errors. Learn practical solutions to improve safety and productivity.

Read article
Human Error is not a Cause – It’s a Consequence

In “Human Error Is Not a Cause – It’s a Consequence,” Larry Wilson argues that human error stems from human factors like rushing, fatigue, and complacency, rather than solely from system flaws. While well-designed systems are crucial, addressing human factors is essential for reducing errors and enhancing safety.

Read article
Workload, Time Pressure and Safety – A Different Perspective

Larry Wilson challenges the conventional view that time pressure solely increases unintentional injuries. He argues that human errors, like rushing due to poor planning or mistakes, are significant factors. Training techniques, such as self-triggering, can help mitigate these risks by keeping focus and reducing critical errors during stressful situations.

Read article
Why Nobody Likes Safety Training

Larry Wilson discusses why many people resist safety training despite wanting to avoid injuries. He highlights that much safety training occurs after individuals have experienced most of their injuries and suggests some tips to make safety training more relevant and effective.

Read article
Did You Hurt Yourself More When You Were Younger?

Larry Wilson highlights how most injuries stem from personal errors, particularly in states of rushing, fatigue, frustration, or complacency. SafeStart training helps reduce these errors by focusing on human factors to prevent injuries at work, home, and on the road. Read the full article to understand how recognizing these patterns can help prevent injuries.

Read article
Rethinking risk assessment. Adding the third dimension

This article explains why traditional two-dimensional risk assessments miss a critical element. By adding human factors such as complacency, rushing, and fatigue as a third dimension, organizations can identify hidden risks and better prevent injuries.

Read article
Defenseless Moments

Larry Wilson shares a story about a serious hiking injury that wasn’t due to a highly dangerous activity, highlighting that many severe injuries occur during low-risk tasks. The article discusses “defenseless moments” when our attention lapses, leading to accidents.

Read article
The Habit of Safety

This article explains why workplace safety cannot rely on rules alone and how building strong safety habits helps reduce injuries when people are tired, rushed, or stressed.

Read article
Slips, Trips and Falls: Paradigm Shift

“Slips, Trips, and Falls: Paradigm Shift” emphasizes the importance of focusing on human factors like rushing, fatigue, frustration, and complacency, rather than solely on environmental hazards. The article highlights the need for self-awareness and behavioral changes to significantly reduce incidents.

Read article

Trusted by organisations around the world

Speak with a safety expert to explore how SafeStart supports organisations in managing human factors globally.