Definition
Human Error is an action or omission that leads to a result other than the one intended or departs from the required way of performing a task.
Human Explanation
A person may make an error because information was misunderstood, a hazard was not noticed, workload was excessive, an interface was unclear or working conditions made correct action difficult.
Why it Matters
Treating an error only as an employee's fault makes the actual causes harder to find. Analysing system conditions helps reduce the risk of a similar event happening again.
Conceptual Boundary
Human Error is not a complete causal explanation of an event. It describes what a person did but does not explain why that action was possible, likely or difficult to avoid.
Practical Perspective
Effective action does not stop at training or reminding people about a procedure. Task design, available information, workload, interfaces and organisational conditions must also be examined.