Reducing Human Error: Techniques to Make Safety Second Nature

Introduction:

Did you know that nearly 90% of workplace and off-the-job incidents are caused by human error? It sounds scary, but it's not all bad news. Human errors happen because we’re human—we rush, get frustrated, tired, or even a little too comfortable with routine tasks. The good news? We can change that. Thanks to neuroscience, we know that with enough repetition and practice, we can actually rewire our brains to make safety an instinct. With the right techniques, we can transform our habits so that safety becomes a natural part of everything we do, even when we’re not thinking about it.

95% of Errors Come From Ourselves

Here’s an eye-opener: about 95% of the mistakes that lead to accidents come from our own actions ⁽¹⁾. That’s right—it’s usually not about faulty equipment or another person’s error. It’s us, being human. Larry Wilson, founder of SafeStart (the mother branch of YOUFactors), has spoken to tens of thousands of employees across multiple industries and observed a clear pattern: most incidents are not caused by faulty equipment or other people, but by our own mistakes But that’s empowering, too. If we’re the ones making the mistakes, we have the ability to change our behavior. 

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Wilson's research also revealed that these errors are linked to four states: rushing, frustration, fatigue, and complacency. When we're in these states, we’re far more likely to make mistakes like taking our eyes or mind off task or underestimating a hazard. This is why simple reminders to "be careful" aren't enough—employees need practical tools and techniques to stay alert and avoid errors, no matter the circumstances.

Understanding Critical Errors

So, what kind of mistakes are we talking about? There are four types of critical errors that account for most accidents. These errors happen when your attention drifts or your focus slips at the wrong moment:

1. Eyes not on task

2. Mind not on task

3. Being in the line of fire

4. Losing balance, traction, or grip

These errors can result from mental states like fatigue or frustration, which cloud judgment and lead to risky decisions and behaviors. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward reducing errors.

4 Proven Techniques to Reduce Human Error

Fortunately, there are some solid techniques that can help avoid these critical errors. SafeStart refers to them as "Critical Error Reduction Techniques." These strategies, rooted in neuroscience, focus on building better habits that make safety automatic. Here’s how you can use them:

1: Observation and Social Learning

One of the simplest ways to reduce errors is by learning from others. When you observe the people around you—especially their mistakes—you can avoid repeating those same errors. Our brains are wired for social learning, meaning we naturally learn through observation and imitation. By staying alert to how other people’s errors put them into risky situations, you can pick up valuable lessons without experiencing the risks firsthand.

2: Learning from Close Calls

Near misses help your brain connect risky states (like rushing or frustration) to potential errors. By reflecting on these close calls, your brain rewires to recognize similar situations faster, often subconsciously. This makes it easier to spot danger next time. Over time, this awareness sets you up for self-triggering—catching risky states early and taking action before an error occurs.

3: Self-Triggering

Self-triggering is about subconsciously recognizing when you're in a high-risk state—like rushing, frustration, or fatigue—and automatically refocusing on keeping your eyes and mind on task. When you sense one of these states coming on, your brain starts to adjust without needing to stop and think. This quick response makes a huge difference in preventing errors, helping you stay sharp and avoid mistakes before they happen.

4: Building Better Habits

The more you repeat a behavior, the more automatic it becomes. Building better safety habits means practicing safe behaviors until they become second nature. With enough repetition, these habits lock into your brain and you’ll find yourself automatically checking your surroundings or double-checking a task without having to think about it.

The Power of Habit and Neuroscience

The key to reducing human error lies in habit-building. Neuroscience tells us that habits form through repetition. When you repeat a behavior enough times, it gets stored in your brain and becomes automatic. This is why focusing on building safe habits is so effective—it takes conscious effort out of the equation. Larry Wilson, founder of SafeStart , sums it up perfectly: 

“Repetition is the key to training your subconscious. The conscious mind just isn’t quick enough.”

It's like learning to drive. When you first start out, every action—checking mirrors, signaling, braking—requires focus. But after a while, it all becomes instinctual. Safety habits can work the same way. With enough practice, you’ll find yourself making safer choices automatically, even when you’re tired or distracted.

➡️ For more info on this concept read our blog post on the Neuroscience of Learning for Enhanced Workplace Safety.

How YOUFactors Helps Build Better Habits

This is where YOUFactors comes in. YOUFactors is a personal digital companion designed to help you turn these techniques into everyday habits. With regular nudges and reminders, YOUFactors helps keep you on track, making it easier to apply what you’ve learned in real time.

For example, YOUFactors might send you a reminder to "rate your state" before starting a task. Are you rushing? Feeling tired? This quick check-in helps you adjust your behavior before an error happens. The digital companion also encourages reflection on near misses, helping you learn from them so they don’t turn into real accidents later.

By combining proven error-reduction techniques with the convenience of digital tools, YOUFactors helps make safety part of your routine, whether you're at work or at home.

Conclusion

Reducing human error doesn’t mean striving for perfection—it means building habits that make safety second nature. With the right techniques and regular practice, you can create a safer environment for yourself and those around you. By using tools like YOUFactors to help reinforce these techniques, you’ll find that safety becomes something you don’t even have to think about—it just happens.

Ready to make safety a habit? Explore how YOUFactors can help you reduce human error and build better habits for a safer, more productive workplace.