ABSTRACT
For many years, machines were designed without taking account of human capacities with regard to processing information, the speed of manual performance, etc. The use of machinery, moreover, requires taking the right decisions at the right time on the basis of the information provided. Both factors result in a complex environment which may lead unconsciously to taking the wrong decisions. These “mistakes” may lead to incidents and, in the worse case, accidents. It is assumed that human errors are the main cause of 60% to 90% of serious accidents and incidents in nuclear facilities, process control and air traffic (Reason, 1997; Rouse & Rouse, 1983). 60% to 70% of incidents and accidents within the Belgian railway system are due to human error. The consequences vary from ignoring a signal without this causing any material damage to a crash involving two trains.
