ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the systems thinking approach, and discusses prominent accident causation models from the contemporary literature. It also provides an understanding of key systems thinking principles and state-of-the-art accident causation models. The so-called systems thinking approach is the dominant approach to understanding and preventing incidents in the safety science literature. There are various systems thinking–based models of accident causation available, and it is often difficult to determine which is the most appropriate to underpin safety management efforts. The term 'systems thinking' is used to describe a philosophy which can be used to understand and improve performance and safety in complex sociotechnical systems. The systems thinking approach to safety therefore involves taking the overall system as the unit of analysis. This involves looking beyond the behavior of the individuals involved in incidents and the immediate circumstances of the event.
