Imagine a bustling workplace full of people and activities working together to achieve common goals. However, amidst this energy and productivity lies a hidden danger—the risk of human error.
Mistakes can and do happen no matter how experienced or diligent an employee may be. And when they do, they can result in accidents, injuries, or financial losses that devastate individuals and businesses. That’s why it’s essential to identify the most common human errors in the workplace and take steps to prevent them.
In this article, we’ll explore the ten most common human errors most likely to occur in the workplace. We’ll also discuss how each of these errors can happen, the risks they pose, and, most importantly, how to prevent them from happening in the first place.
What is human error?
A human error is an action or decision a person makes that results in unintended or undesired outcomes. Human errors can occur in various contexts, such as work, sports, or daily life. From momentary lapses of attention to taking dangerous shortcuts, there are a multitude of ways that human error can creep into our daily routines.
Additionally, various factors, including lack of knowledge, fatigue, stress, distraction, or miscommunication could be the cause. Nevertheless, by understanding these pitfalls and taking proactive measures to avoid them, both employers and employees can create a safer, more efficient workplace.
Top 10 Human Errors in the Workplace and How to Prevent them
Human error in the workplace is a common problem that can have significant consequences for individuals, teams, and organizations. Here are ten errors that occur in the workplace, and how they can be prevented:
1. Lack of attention to detail
Lack of attention to details is a common error that cannot occur in the workplace. This occurs when employees fail to notice or overlook important details, leading to errors and mistakes in the work processes. Some of the reasons this error occurs include distractions, fatigue, or lack of training.
The risks it poses:
The risks of a lack of attention to detail can vary depending on the type of work being done. For example, in industries such as healthcare or finance, even small mistakes caused by a lack of attention to detail can have serious consequences, including medication errors, financial losses, etc.
Furthermore, lack of attention to detail can lead to defective products, accidents, and injuries in other industries, such as manufacturing or construction.
How to prevent this error:
To avoid making this kind of mistake at your workplace, you need to do the following:
- Develop standard operating procedures that will be followed.
- Develop checklists that detail all steps and requirements for a task or project.
- Encourage the culture of double-checking their tasks before submission.
2. Failure to follow procedures
Failure to follow procedures is a common error that can occur in the workplace. This error abounds when employees do not follow established procedures or guidelines for completing tasks. This can happen for several reasons, such as lack of training, inadequate supervision, or overconfidence in their abilities.
The risks it poses:
The risks of failure to follow procedures can be significant, particularly in industries such as healthcare, aviation, or nuclear power, where even small mistakes can have serious consequences.
In healthcare, for instance, failure to follow procedures can lead to medication errors, misdiagnosis, or other adverse events that can harm patients. In aviation, failure to follow procedures can lead to accidents and fatalities.
Furthermore, failure to follow procedures in nuclear power can result in environmental disasters and health risks.
How to prevent this error:
To avoid this error from occurring in your workplace, you need to practice the following:
- Develop detailed procedures for each task or process and communicate them clearly to employees.
- Offer training to employees on the procedures to follow for each task or process.
- Conduct regular audits and reviews of employees’ work to ensure they follow procedures correctly.
3. Poor communication
Poor communication occurs when there is a breakdown in the exchange of information between individuals or groups. It can take many forms, such as unclear instructions, failure to share critical information, or misinterpreting messages.
Additionally, poor communication can occur for several reasons, including language or cultural differences and insufficient training in communication skills.
The risks it poses:
The risks of poor communication can vary depending on the work type. For example, in manufacturing, poor communication can lead to production delays, equipment failures, and safety hazards. Poor communication can result in dissatisfied customers and lost business in customer service.
How to prevent this error:
You can prevent this human error from occurring by engaging in the following:
- Encourage employees to communicate openly and frequently with each other using face-to-face meetings, instant messaging, and video conferencing.
- Communicate expectations, deadlines, and responsibilities to all team members.
- Offer communication training to employees to help them improve their communication skills.
4. Fatigue
This error occurs when employees experience physical or mental exhaustion, impairing their ability to perform their duties effectively. In addition, fatigue can be caused by long work hours, shift work, poor sleep quality, and high physical or mental exertion levels.
The risks it poses:
Fatigue can have several consequences for the workplace, including increased errors and mistakes, decreased productivity, and safety risks. For example, in healthcare, fatigue can lead to medication errors, misdiagnoses, and medical complications for patients.
In transportation, fatigue can lead to accidents and injuries, while in manufacturing, fatigue can lead to defective products and production.
How to prevent this error:
To avoid this error from occurring in your workplace, you need to practice the following:
- Encourage employees to take regular breaks to rest and recharge.
- Schedule work hours to allow for adequate rest and recovery time between shifts.
- Encourage healthy lifestyle habits like regular exercise, good nutrition, and adequate sleep.
5. Distractions
Distraction is a human error that can occur when employees become sidetracked by external or internal stimuli such as noises, technology, or personal issues. Additionally, distraction can lead to mistakes and accidents, as employees may miss critical information or make incorrect decisions.
Furthermore, when one is involved in doing multiple tasks simultaneously, it can also increase the risk of distraction and errors.
The risks it poses:
The distraction risks can vary depending on the type of work being done. In healthcare, distraction can lead to medication errors, misdiagnosis, or other adverse events that can harm patients. In transportation, distraction can lead to accidents and injuries, while in manufacturing, distraction can lead to defective products and production delays.
How to prevent this error:
To avoid making this kind of mistake at your workplace, you need to do the following:
- Identify and remove unnecessary distractions from the workplace, such as loud noises, clutter, or non-work-related items.
- Encourage time management techniques, such as setting priorities and deadlines, to help employees stay focused.
- Offer training to employees on how to avoid and manage distractions, such as mindfulness courses.
6. Lack of training
Lack of training is a type of human error that occurs when employees are not provided with the appropriate knowledge, skills, and resources to perform their duties effectively. It is considered a human error because management or supervisory personnel fail to educate and train their subordinates properly.
The risks it poses:
The risks posed by a lack of training in the workplace can be significant, as employees who are not properly trained may be less efficient and less effective in their work. Thus, this could lead to reduced productivity and poor-quality work.
Furthermore, lack of training can increase the risk of errors and accidents in the workplace. For example, employees in an office setting who are not trained on proper data handling procedures may be at a higher risk of data breaches or other security incidents.
How to prevent this error:
You can prevent this human error from occurring by engaging in the following:
- Develop a comprehensive training program that covers all essential job duties, safety protocols, and company policies.
- Provide ongoing training to employees to help them stay current with new technology, industry trends, and best practices.
- Encourage employees to provide feedback on their training experiences and suggest improvements.
7. Overconfidence
Overconfidence is a cognitive bias that occurs when a person believes they have greater knowledge, skill, or ability than they possess. This bias can manifest by overestimating one’s performance, underestimating the difficulty of a task, or excessive reliance on one’s experience.
Furthermore, overconfidence can have significant negative consequences in various aspects of life, including personal, professional, and financial domains.
The risks it poses:
In the workplace, overconfidence can lead to poor decision-making, taking on too much risk, or failing to consider alternative perspectives or information.
For example, a CEO overconfident in his company’s success may make decisions that ignore warning signs or potential problems. This could eventually lead to a decline in the company’s performance.
How to prevent this error:
To avoid this error from occurring in your workplace, you need to practice the following:
- Foster a culture of feedback where employees are encouraged to give and receive constructive criticism.
- Promote collaboration and teamwork to ensure work is reviewed by multiple people, reducing errors from overconfidence.
- Implement quality control measures, such as reviews and audits, to check the accuracy and quality of work.
8. Rushing
Rushing is a common human error that occurs when individuals act hastily and without properly considering the situation. It can be caused by various factors, such as a desire to complete a task quickly, impatience, or a lack of attention. Furthermore, rushing can lead to errors in judgment, missed deadlines, and low-quality work output.
The risks it poses:
Rushing can pose several risks, depending on the context in which it occurs. In the workplace, rushing can lead to errors, missed deadlines, and low-quality work output. For example, rushing to complete a project can lead to errors in judgment or failure to consider important information, resulting in low-quality work.
How to prevent this error:
To prevent this error in your workplace, you should implement the following practices:
- Motivate employees to plan and prioritize their tasks to ensure that they are completed promptly and effectively.
- Encourage employees to focus on one task at a time to ensure that each task is completed thoroughly and efficiently.
- Ensure that employees can access the necessary resources, such as tools, equipment, and personnel, to complete their tasks effectively.
9. Lack of concentration
This human error occurs when individuals have difficulty focusing their attention on a particular task or activity. Various factors, such as fatigue, distractions, and stress, can cause it.
Additionally, a lack of concentration can occur in various situations, such as driving, operating machinery, or performing complex tasks. Furthermore, it can lead to errors in judgment, missed deadlines, and low-quality work output.
The risks it poses:
Lack of concentration can lead to errors, missed deadlines, and low-quality work output. For example, lack of concentration during surgery can lead to failure to consider important information, resulting in low-quality work output.
Also, a lack of concentration can lead to poor decision-making, as individuals may make decisions without considering all available information or alternative perspectives.
How to prevent this error:
To avoid making this kind of mistake at your workplace, you need to do the following:
- Reduce distractions in the workplace by providing a quiet and focused work environment.
- Ensure employees take regular breaks to help them stay refreshed and focused.
- Provide training on concentration and focus techniques, such as meditation, to help employees improve their concentration skills.
10. Procrastination
Procrastination is a human error that occurs when an individual postpones a task or responsibility to a later time rather than completing it promptly. In addition, procrastination can happen for various reasons, including a lack of motivation, fear of failure or success, and a lack of focus.
The risks it poses:
Procrastination can lead to missed deadlines, which can negatively impact the quality of work and lead to dissatisfied clients or customers. For instance, if an individual postpones a task until the last minute, they may be forced to work longer hours, leading to fatigue and further reduced productivity.
Moreover, other team members dependent on the procrastinating individual’s output may be affected, leading to project completion delays.
How to prevent this error:
To prevent this mistake in your workplace, you should take the following steps.
- Set clear and reasonable deadlines for tasks to be completed.
- Break large tasks into smaller, manageable chunks to make them less overwhelming.
- Provide employees with the necessary support and resources to complete their tasks, such as training, coaching, and equipment.
Conclusion
Human errors occur in the workplace when you least expect them; however, they also result from many factors. To reduce or completely prevent them from occurring at your workplace, you’ve got to take action steps. Applying these preventive measures will greatly increase the chances of preventing or reducing human errors to a minimum.
[…] This is the last step in creating the CMP which can be done as often as possible to check the whole plan and eliminate errors. […]