The Cost of Human Error and the Strategies to Minimize It

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Human error can have significant costs and impacts, but by implementing practical error reduction techniques and tools like YOUFactors, individuals and organisations can create a safer and more efficient environment.

Human Error blights everyday life, whether in vehicles, at workplaces, or online. We might not like hearing this particular truth, but the stats are overwhelming! Take a look at some of the figures we've gathered—and ask yourself this question, what prep steps and new habits would make an Error Busting difference?

The Cost of Human Error

1. Behind the wheel

Driving is one of the riskiest things we do every day. In the United States alone, a car crash occurs every five seconds. In an earlier blog post, we explored the causes behind 94% of road accidents and examined the emotional states associated with them. But here is some other data⁽¹⁾:

Failure to wear seatbelts: Every hour, someone in the U.S. loses their life because they didn't buckle up. Seatbelts save around 15,000 lives a year.
Speeding: Increasing your speed from 40 mph to 60 mph more than doubles the energy released in a crash.
Distractions: Eating, drinking, smoking, and using a cell phone while driving contribute to many accidents. Drowsy driving accounts for around 100,000 accidents annually.
Incorrect assumptions about other drivers.
Tailgating

These accidents cost the U.S. economy around $230 billion annually. Companies also bear a significant financial burden, paying an average of $740 per employee each year due to off-the-job injuries, which affect absenteeism, healthcare costs, productivity, and unscheduled work interruptions.

2. At the workplace

Workplace accidents are another major area where human error has severe consequences. In Great Britain, 561,000 workers sustained non-fatal injuries in 2022/23, with 60,645 injuries reported by employers. The most common types of non-fatal injuries include:

Slips, trips, and falls (40% of non-fatal injuries).
Handling, lifting, and carrying accidents (under 20%).
Being struck by a moving object (about 10%).

These avoidable incidents account for 68% of all non-fatal workplace injuries. On average, employees take off nine days of work due to workplace injuries, leading to significant costs for employers.

on average employees take off 9 days of work due to workplace injuries

Workplace injuries and ill health in the UK during 2021/22 incurred a staggering cost of £20.7 billion⁽²⁾, marking a 10% increase compared to 2019/20.

3. Online

Cyber vulnerabilities pose a significant threat. An IBM study⁽⁴⁾ found that 95% of data breaches result from human error, leading to cancelled flights, delayed medical procedures, and power outages. Breaches can happen in many ways. Common examples include using weak passwords, reusing passwords, phishing attacks, misdelivering sensitive information, and neglecting to secure devices. These risks can lead to unauthorized access or data loss, underscoring the importance of vigilance in protecting digital assets.

However, cyber attacks are not the only threat; even downtime can have a significant impact. In 2017, Amazon Web Services experienced a four-hour outage ⁽⁶⁾, leading to a loss of $150 million for S&P 500 companies and $160 million for U.S. financial service firms. The culprit? A single mistyped command by an employee.

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4. At home

It's easy to think of our homes as safe havens, but accidents can happen as easily here as anywhere else. Home-related errors are surprisingly common and can have serious consequences. Did you know in the UK alone, an estimated 6,000 deaths and 2.7 million hospital visits are due to home accidents every year⁽⁵⁾?

The total annual cost of home accident casualties who are treated for their injuries at hospital - around 2.7 million people each year - is estimated to be £45.63 billion (£45,630 million), based on an average cost of £16,900 per victim⁽⁷⁾.

Here are some of the frequent culprits:

Falls: Especially among the elderly, falls often occur because of slippery floors, unsecured rugs, or poor lighting. So, maybe think twice before attempting a hallway marathon.
Poisoning: Household chemicals, medications, or carbon monoxide are major risks, particularly for children. Think of it as playing hide-and-seek with danger—except nobody wins.
Fires: From cooking mishaps to faulty wiring or unattended candles, house fires can be devastating. Always keep an eye on that toast!
Cuts and burns: Everyday activities like cooking or using tools can lead to severe injuries without proper precautions. So, channel your inner safety ninja when wielding that kitchen knife.

Stay informed, take precautions, and keep your home the safe haven it should be.

Enhancing safety by minimizing human error

Addressing human error is crucial for enhancing workplace safety and efficiency. By understanding and managing human error, companies and managers can support traditional safety methods and create a safer workplace culture..

Understanding human error

Almost all injuries can be traced back to an unintentional human error resulting from the individual's state of mind or body at the time of the incident. These errors can be categorized into four critical states:

Distraction (physical or mental/emotional).
Rushing.
Frustration.
Fatigue.

These 4 states can lead to these critical errors:

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1. Not watching what we are doing

We've all had our fingers pinched in a car door at some point. If we had been watching carefully, our natural reaction would have saved us — no injury, just a close call. Not paying attention takes away our ability to react.

2. Not concentrating on what we are doing

Not all dangers are visible. Some hazards need to be thought about and prepared for. We need to be aware of them even if we can’t see them right away. Think of a hot stove, ice on the road, or electricity. We need to focus on our tasks to recognize and avoid these hidden dangers.

3. Being in or moving into the “line of fire”

Not realizing we’re in danger is a common cause of accidents. This often happens when we’re not fully focused on what we’re doing.

4. Loss of balance, traction, or grip

This kind of mistake also happens when we’re not paying attention. Keep your eyes and mind on the task to stay safe.

Practical steps to reduce human error

The antidote to risk factors lies in teaching a set of skills or critical error reduction techniques. There are four key techniques that, when practiced, can significantly reduce errors and the injuries they cause:

1. Self-triggering before errors occur

This first skill is about recognizing when we've entered a state that leads to risky behavior before something goes wrong. Some people do this naturally. Imagine you're working on a project and nothing is going right. Maybe a bolt is super tight, and you can't loosen it no matter what you try. You start yanking the wrench harder, but before it slips and you hurt your shoulder, you realize you're getting frustrated and need to chill out. You trigger on frustration, put the wrench down, and go grab a coffee. When you come back, you're calmer and can tackle the problem with a clearer mind, like getting the right tool.

2. Learning from Close Calls & small errors to avoid big ones

We all have our "Oops!" moments. Even when working on self-triggering, we're bound to make some errors. Often, when we mess up or have a close call, we just hope no one noticed. Learning from these moments can prevent bigger errors in the future. It's an opportunity to analyze the state we were in and how it led to the error.

3. Observing others for error patterns

This technique has three perks:

Watching others helps us identify people in error-prone states so we can steer clear, like avoiding a reckless driver on the highway.
It makes us less likely to repeat the same behaviors, reducing our own complacency.
We can help others before they get hurt by recognizing their error-prone state before they do. While stepping in can be tricky and requires tact, it's worth the effort.

4. Improving our habits

There are countless habits we could improve to boost our safety awareness and reduce injuries. Start by dedicating one day to consciously making safer choices.

Incorporating these techniques into your routine can make a big difference in reducing risks and improving safety. Stay engaged, stay safe, and don’t forget to take a break for that cup of coffee when needed!

Conclusion

Improving safety is a continuous journey, not a one-time effort. Whether at home, work, or online, creating a safer environment depends on our ongoing commitment to recognizing and addressing risks. By actively integrating error reduction techniques and habit building into our daily routines, we can significantly cut down on accidents and injuries. Building a strong safety culture involves shared responsibility, vigilance, and mutual support.

While traditional workplace safety software plays a crucial role, it is equally important to focus on personal habits and proactive strategies. Learning from our experiences, staying aware of potential hazards, and prioritizing safety can help us protect ourselves and others. As these practices and habits become second nature, we contribute to a healthier and safer community for everyone.

References:

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Article by:

Chloé Canella

Chloé Canella is a passionate content writer and marketer at YOUFactors. With her skills in content creation and copywriting, she produces quality articles on workplace safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

The Cost of Human Error and How to Minimise It

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