The human factor theory identifies factors such as overload, inappropriate activities, and inappropriate responses as causes of accidents. Which of the following is NOT listed as a factor?

The human factor theory identifies factors such as overload, inappropriate activities, and inappropriate responses as causes of accidents. Which of the following is NOT listed as a factor?

• A. Overload
• B. Inappropriate activities
• C. Poor maintenance
• D. Inappropriate responses

Answer: (C)

Accidents can stem from how people handle tasks and interact with the work environment. The human factor view identifies three ways people contribute to accidents: overload, meaning the workload exceeds what a person can handle; inappropriate activities, which are unsafe actions or deviations from proper procedures; and inappropriate responses, which are incorrect or delayed actions when something goes wrong. These focus on human performance and decision-making in real-time work situations. Poor maintenance, by contrast, concerns the condition and reliability of equipment rather than how a person thinks or acts. While equipment problems can cause accidents, they’re not part of the human-factor factors listed here. So poor maintenance isn’t included among these human-related factors.

Accidents can stem from how people handle tasks and interact with the work environment. The human factor view identifies three ways people contribute to accidents: overload, meaning the workload exceeds what a person can handle; inappropriate activities, which are unsafe actions or deviations from proper procedures; and inappropriate responses, which are incorrect or delayed actions when something goes wrong. These focus on human performance and decision-making in real-time work situations.

Poor maintenance, by contrast, concerns the condition and reliability of equipment rather than how a person thinks or acts. While equipment problems can cause accidents, they’re not part of the human-factor factors listed here. So poor maintenance isn’t included among these human-related factors.