Beyond Organisational Accidents

Beyond Organisational Accidents: Safety Causation and Sociological Explanation is a tribute to James Reason and a contribution to the sociology of safety. Reason’s theories defined a new era in the safety field in the 1980s and 1990s but, as time passes, our understanding and knowledge of any topic evolves. Different proposals are made, new perspectives develop, alternatives are suggested. The same is true for Reason’s contribution and several decades after his landmark publications, our view of human error, of organisational accidents and of safe performance have evolved. In the 2020s, our approach to this problem is not the same as it was back then.

This book explores the alternatives by drawing on fifty years of developments in different traditions such as cognitive system engineering. It investigates the thoughts of Rasmussen, Hollnagel and Woods who shaped what is known as the “new view” and sociology through the perspectives of Perrow, Hopkins, Vaughan and McCurdy. It argues that safety issues associated with complex and globalised organisations such as Boeing, NASA, SpaceX or a global event such as the COVID-19 pandemic require a revisit of the classics in the safety field. In this respect, the book builds on, refines and expands upon the ideas set out in the author's previous publication, Post Normal Accident (ISBN: 9780367502287), marking a shift in focus from accident causation to safety causation.

This book is an essential resource for occupational health and safety professionals, researchers, and students. Its appeal extends to those in the disciplines of human factors, ergonomics, and sociology. It is particularly valuable for those working with complex, high-risk systems who seek a deeper theoretical foundation to guide their practices.