Reviews for
Behind Human Error, Second Edition

‘This book, by some of the leading error researchers, is essential reading for everyone concerned with the nature of human error. For scholars, Woods et al provide a critical perspective on the meaning of error. For organizations, they provide a roadmap for reducing vulnerability to error. For workers, they explain the daily tradeoffs and pressures that must be juggled. For technology developers, the book offers important warnings and guidance. Masterfully written, carefully reasoned, and compellingly presented.’

Gary Klein, Chairman and Chief Scientist of Klein Associates, USA

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‘This book is a long-awaited update of a hard-to-get work originally published in 1994. Written by some of the world’s leading practitioners, it elegantly summarises the main work in this field over the last 30 years, and clearly and patiently illustrates the practical advantages of going “behind human error”. Understanding human error as an effect of often deep, systemic vulnerabilities rather than as a cause of failure, is an important but necessary step forward from the oversimplified views that continue to hinder real progress in safety management.’

Erik Hollnagel, MINES ParisTech, France

‘If you welcome the chance to re-evaluate some of your most cherished beliefs, if you enjoy having to view long-established ideas from an unfamiliar perspective, then you will be provoked, stimulated and informed by this book. Many of the ideas expressed here have been aired before in relative isolation, but linking them together in this multi-authored book gives them added power and coherence.’

James Reason, Professor Emeritus, University of Manchester, UK

‘This updated and substantially expanded book draws together modern scientific understanding of mishaps too often simplistically viewed as caused by “human error”. It helps us understand the actions of human operators at the “sharp end” and puts those actions appropriately in the overall system context of task, social, organizational, and equipment factors. Remarkably well written and free of technical jargon, this volume is a comprehensive treatment of value to anyone concerned with the safe, effective operation of human systems.’

Robert K. Dismukes, Chief Scientist for Aerospace Human Factors, NASA Ames Research Center, USA

‘With the advent of unmanned systems in the military and expansion of robots beyond manufacturing into the home, healthcare, and public safety, Behind Human Error is a must-read for designers, program managers, and regulatory agencies. Roboticists no longer have an excuse that the human “part” isn’t their job or is too esoteric to be practical; the fifteen premises and numerous case studies make it clear how to prevent technological disasters.’

Robin R. Murphy, Texas A&M University, USA