Book Reviews : Jens Rasmussen, Annelise Mark Pejtersen, and L. P. Goodstein: Cognitive Systems Engineering

An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Behaviour Based Safety Initiative card system at a cement manufacturing company in Zimbabwe

“…This study focused on the BBSI card system as one of the tools to reduce accident occurrence at the workplace. Most studies have focused on safety with particular reference on safety procedures (procedures to do the work safely), and also engineering techniques to reduce exposure of employees to hazards, but have ignored the human aspect of safety [7] , [8] , [22] , [23] . This study builds on the knowledge of existing safety programs that could target the behavior of employees to create a safe working attitude and behavior, which could yield positive results.…”

“…There are three paradigms that have been identified to have been critical in the evolution of research on accidents and occupational safety [6] , [7] , [8] . The first paradigm focuses on normative, prescriptive theories concerning the way people ought to act.…”

“…The first paradigm focuses on normative, prescriptive theories concerning the way people ought to act. This paradigm aims at preventing occupational accidents through task design and safe rules of conduct, in which failure to follow stipulated rules might result in punishment [8] . The second paradigm focused on descriptive models of work behavior in terms of deviations from the normative, “best way” of working (i.e., aiming to reduce errors and biases) [8] .…”

“…This paradigm guides efforts to control behavior by removing the causes of errors. The third paradigm takes a cognitive approach to safety [8] , [9] . The cognitive approach focuses on the interaction of the individual and the work system.…”

“…The cognitive approach focuses on the interaction of the individual and the work system. It is concerned with the characteristics of the work system (features of the task, tools, and environment) that influence the individual decisions and actions, and the possibility of errors [8] . Studies have noted that human behavior has a huge impact on accident-prevention programs, as 88% of accidents are attributed to unsafe acts, which are strongly aligned with employees' attitudes and behavior [7] .…”