Advancing a sociotechnical systems approach to workplace safety – developing the conceptual framework

Abstract

Traditional efforts to deal with the enormous problem of workplace safety have proved insufficient, as they have tended to neglect the broader sociotechnical environment that surrounds workers. Here, we advocate a sociotechnical systems approach that describes the complex multi-level system factors that contribute to workplace safety. From the literature on sociotechnical systems, complex systems and safety, we develop a sociotechnical model of workplace safety with concentric layers of the work system, socio-organisational context and the external environment. The future challenges that are identified through the model are highlighted. Practitioner Summary: Understanding the environmental, organisational and work system factors that contribute to workplace safety will help to develop more effective and integrated solutions to deal with persistent workplace safety problems. Solutions to improve workplace safety need to recognise the broad sociotechnical system and the respective interactions between the system elements and levels.

Root-cause analysis: swatting at mosquitoes versus draining the swamp

“…Critical incidents arise from the interplay between active failures (eg, not double checking for allergies before administering a medication) and latent conditions9 (eg, workload for the nurse and reliance on human memory for a critical safeguard when electronic systems with built-in reminders exist). Returning to Reason's analogy, we do not want to spend our time and expend our resources swatting at the mosquitoes of ‘not double checking’.…”

State of science: occupational slips, trips and falls on the same level

“…The reasoning for a systems approach is that for any STFL incident, its genesis will lie within the context of a socio-technical system, i.e. the combination and interactions among humans, equipment, work activities, environments, organisational structures and processes all affecting workplace safety (Carayon et al 2015). It follows that it is necessary to develop scientific rationales considering worker attributes, work tasks, interactions with the physical environments and organisational factors to explain the processes involved in STFL.…”

Impact of Technology on Safety as Viewed by Ship Operators

“…For better understanding of operators´ contribution to accidents we need to understand that they are placed at the centre of the work system, surrounded by series of elements with which she/he interacts, and each element interacts further with others (Carayon et al, 2015). Efficient usage of technology is one of the key factors for minimising risk, otherwise vessel and cargo loss or damage, along with adverse effects on human and environment can happen.…”