Human errors: analysis of 96 serious accidents of an Indian coal company using human factors analysis and classification system (HFACS)

摘要

Coal is chief source of energy in India and accounts for 55% of country's energy need (www.coal.nic.in). Indian coal mining industry is manpower-intensive. Despite majority of coal mining is done by public sector coal companies, accident rates remain high compared to other major coal producing nations (except China). Human failures have been found to be major attributes of coal mining accidents. To identify human errors in accidents 96 fatal and serious accidents bejell between 2009 and 2014 in a large public sector coal company of central India were analyzed on human factor analysis and classification system - mining industry (HFACS-MI). Analysis revealed that violations, skill based errors, decision errors, inadequate leadership and physical environment were the major contributing factors. These findings stress upon the need to focus on reduction of human errors during mining operations to arrest present trend of accidents. The results of the study represent a preliminary findings and subsequent detailed study is required to pinpoint activity-wise human failures.