Systems-based accident analysis methods: A comparison of Accimap, HFACS, and STAMP

Three accident causation models, each with their own associated approach to accident analysis, currentlydominate the human factors literature. Although the models are in general agreement that accidents representa complex, systems phenomenon, the subsequent analysis methods prescribed are very different.This paper presents a case study-based comparison of the three methods: Accimap, HFACS and STAMP.Each was used independently by separate analysts to analyse the recent Mangatepopo gorge tragedyin which six students and their teacher drowned while participating in a led gorge walking activity.The outputs were then compared and contrasted, revealing significant differences across the three methods.These differences are discussed in detail, and the implications for accident analysis are articulated. Inconclusion, a modified version of the Accimap method, incorporating domain specific taxonomies of failuremodes, is recommended for future accident analysis efforts