Collecting human-factors data from accidents and incidents

To investigate human and organizational factors in offshore accidents, two human-factors incident reporting forms were developed and evaluated. The Op en Reporting Form (ORF) contained 11 open questions and the Comprehensive R eporting Form (CRF) contained 166 questions/potential causal categories. Bo th forms were tested on five U.K. offshore installations where personnel in volved in an incident were asked to complete one. Using statistical techniq ues, the form with more structured questions was found to provide 66% more information than the participating company's existing reporting form. Resul ts of the research are described focusing on potential benefits far the off shore oil industry.