The book "Barriers and Accident Prevention" by Erik Hollnagel explores the nature of accidents and the role of barriers in preventing them. Hollnagel argues that accidents are not inevitable but can be understood and prevented through a systemic perspective. The book is structured into several chapters, each addressing different aspects of accidents and barriers. - **Chapter 1: Accidents and Causes** introduces the concept of accidents, their causes, and the distinction between explaining accidents and finding their causes. It discusses the evolution of the concept of causes and the shift from absolute to relative understanding. - **Chapter 2: Thinking about Accidents** presents three types of accident models: sequential, epidemiological, and systemic. These models highlight the complexity of accidents, which are often due to multiple factors rather than a single root cause. - **Chapter 3: Barriers Functions and Barrier Systems** delves into the concept of barriers, distinguishing between barrier functions and systems. It discusses different types of barrier systems (physical, functional, symbolic, and incorporeal) and their strengths and weaknesses. - **Chapter 4: Understanding the Role of Barriers in Accidents** examines how barriers are represented in accident analysis methods like fault trees and event trees. It highlights the limitations of these representations and the need for a more systemic view. - **Chapter 5: A Systemic Accident Model** proposes a systemic model of accidents, emphasizing the role of performance variability and functional resonance. This model suggests that accidents are the result of complex coincidences rather than isolated failures. - **Chapter 6: Accident Prevention** outlines a four-step process for accident prevention using the functional resonance model. It emphasizes the importance of creative imagination and matching the accident model to the complexity of the system being analyzed. The book aims to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding and preventing accidents by focusing on the role of barriers and a systemic approach. It is intended for practitioners and researchers, offering practical insights and methods for improving safety in various systems.The book "Barriers and Accident Prevention" by Erik Hollnagel explores the nature of accidents and the role of barriers in preventing them. Hollnagel argues that accidents are not inevitable but can be understood and prevented through a systemic perspective. The book is structured into several chapters, each addressing different aspects of accidents and barriers. - **Chapter 1: Accidents and Causes** introduces the concept of accidents, their causes, and the distinction between explaining accidents and finding their causes. It discusses the evolution of the concept of causes and the shift from absolute to relative understanding. - **Chapter 2: Thinking about Accidents** presents three types of accident models: sequential, epidemiological, and systemic. These models highlight the complexity of accidents, which are often due to multiple factors rather than a single root cause. - **Chapter 3: Barriers Functions and Barrier Systems** delves into the concept of barriers, distinguishing between barrier functions and systems. It discusses different types of barrier systems (physical, functional, symbolic, and incorporeal) and their strengths and weaknesses. - **Chapter 4: Understanding the Role of Barriers in Accidents** examines how barriers are represented in accident analysis methods like fault trees and event trees. It highlights the limitations of these representations and the need for a more systemic view. - **Chapter 5: A Systemic Accident Model** proposes a systemic model of accidents, emphasizing the role of performance variability and functional resonance. This model suggests that accidents are the result of complex coincidences rather than isolated failures. - **Chapter 6: Accident Prevention** outlines a four-step process for accident prevention using the functional resonance model. It emphasizes the importance of creative imagination and matching the accident model to the complexity of the system being analyzed. The book aims to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding and preventing accidents by focusing on the role of barriers and a systemic approach. It is intended for practitioners and researchers, offering practical insights and methods for improving safety in various systems.