SWISS CHEESE MODEL - SAFETY SCIENCE Flashcards
History of Swiss Cheese Model
professor at Manchester University named James Reason
he elaborates on his theory that accidents do not result from one or more independent events. Instead, he posits that accidents occur due to several interconnected factors which, together, culminate in failure. One example he
Understanding SWISS CHEESE MODEL
In order for a catastrophic event, such as a plane crash, to occur, a sequence of events precedes it. Think of these separate factors as slices of Swiss cheese lined up one behind the other. If any one of the holes in them doesn’t align with the others, the series of events is changed or curtailed, and a catastrophe is prevented. But if all the holes line up…the door is open for disaster.
The goal of this model is to inform decision-making that will ultimately prevent accidents from occurring. By keeping in mind that all lines of defense within an organization are interconnected, decision-makers can implement policies and interventions that effectively minimize risk.
CRITICISMS
TOO broad and too dogmatic too generic being applied to a much larger scope than originally intended
Those who defend the Swiss Cheese Model argue that, while it has its limitations, the model has been imperative in bringing systemic factors into models of accident prevention
