skills/wsh-risk-assessment/references/human-organisational-factors.md

# Human Factors

Human factors can significantly influence both the likelihood and severity of incidents and should be considered during hazard identification, risk evaluation, and the selection of control measures.

Human factors encompass individual, behavioural, cognitive, physical, and organisational influences that may affect a person's ability to perform work safely and effectively.

Examples include:

### Individual Factors

* Competency
* Experience
* Training
* Physical fitness
* Existing medical conditions
* Medication effects
* Pregnancy
* Mental wellbeing
* Fatigue
* Stress
* Distraction or loss of concentration
* Risk-taking behaviour
* Complacency
* Overconfidence
* Impairment due to alcohol or drugs

### Communication and Knowledge Factors

* Language barriers
* Inadequate understanding of instructions
* Miscommunication between team members
* Failure to understand Safety Data Sheet (SDS) information
* Inadequate awareness of hazards
* Incorrect interpretation of warning signs or labels

### Task-Specific Factors

* Inexperience with laboratory procedures
* Inexperience with laser alignment procedures
* Failure to recognise invisible laser beams
* Inexperience with hazardous chemicals
* Failure to recognise incompatible chemicals
* Incorrect chemical labelling
* Improper use of equipment or tools
* Failure to follow Safe Work Procedures (SWPs)

### Work Arrangement Factors

* Lone work
* Excessive workload
* Time pressure
* Extended working hours
* Shift work
* Inadequate supervision
* Insufficient staffing levels

When assessing risk, consideration should be given not only to the presence of hazards but also to how human factors may increase the likelihood of errors, unsafe acts, delayed responses, or failures of existing control measures.

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# Organisational Factors

Organisational factors are workplace systems, management practices, resource allocation, and cultural influences that can affect the likelihood of incidents, occupational illnesses, or failures in risk control. These factors should be considered during hazard identification and risk evaluation, as they may contribute to human error, unsafe conditions, or ineffective implementation of control measures.

Examples include:

* Inadequate supervision
* Inadequate staffing or manpower resources
* Excessive workload
* Time pressure and unrealistic deadlines
* Shift work and extended working hours
* Poor communication and information flow
* Inadequate training, competency assessment, or refresher training
* Poor safety culture or weak management commitment to safety
* Lack of clearly defined roles and responsibilities
* Inadequate contractor management and oversight
* Ineffective change management processes
* Inadequate maintenance and inspection programmes
* Deficient incident reporting, investigation, or corrective action systems
* Inadequate emergency preparedness and response planning
* Insufficient resources for safety and health management

Examples specific to laboratory, workshop, and research environments include:

* Inadequate laser safety programme
* Lack of authorised or competent laser users
* Inadequate chemical inventory management
* Inadequate chemical storage and segregation systems
* Lack of Safety Data Sheet (SDS) accessibility
* Inadequate biosafety or radiation safety management systems
* Poor equipment calibration, servicing, or certification controls
* Inadequate laboratory access control and supervision
* Lack of documented Safe Work Procedures (SWPs) or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
* Inadequate management of hazardous waste and disposal processes
* Insufficient monitoring of regulatory and institutional compliance requirements

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