An Assessment of the Role of Human Factors in Oil Spills from Vessels

This report presents general concepts related to human error, human factors, and accident causality by synthesizing published literature that considers the types of human errors and underlying human factors that commonly cause oil spills or accidents. In an attempt to relate root causes to prevention strategies that target human factors, this report reviews oil spill and marine accident data compilation and analysis practices in the US and internationally. Prevention programs and voluntary practices that target human factors are reviewed, and recommendations presented for linking spill prevention to human factors data and analysis.