Reporting and Learning: From Extraordinary to Ordinary

The development of a reporting and learning culture is a key feature of successful safety–critical systems (Reason, 1997). A reporting culture ensures that safety management systems (SMSs) are fed with important safety-related information from people who are in direct contact with potential hazards. A learning culture ensures that the organisation is able to draw the right lessons from its SMS, and that the organisation is willing to embrace change when it is needed.