In safety management, accidents rarely happen because of one single failure. The Swiss cheese model shows that incidents occur when multiple weaknesses line up – like holes in slices of cheese – allowing hazards to pass through. Each slice represents a layer of defence such as equipment, procedures, or human behaviour. When these defenses fail together, accidents occur.
What is the Swiss Cheese Model in Behaviour-Based Safety?
The Swiss cheese model shows that accidents occur when multiple system gaps align. Each layer – procedures, equipment, and behaviour – acts as a defence. Behaviour based safety (BBS) strengthens the human layer through bbs observation and safety behaviour observation. Combined with a strong safety work culture, it helps close those gaps and prevent accidents effectively.
Understanding the Swiss Cheese Model in Safety
The Swiss Cheese Model of Accident Causation, developed by James Reason, explains how incidents happen when multiple layers of defence in a system fail.
Each “slice” of cheese represents a barrier – like procedures, training, supervision, or equipment safeguards. The “holes” are weaknesses or human errors in those barriers.
When the holes align, an accident slips through.
The Swiss cheese model in safety helps organisations see that no system is perfect. It highlights that human error, poor supervision, or weak processes can all create small vulnerabilities.
These may not cause harm alone, but when they align, they lead to incidents. The key to accident prevention is strengthening each slice – closing the holes before they align.
Behaviour – Based Safety – The Human Layer
One critical slice in this model is behaviour. Behaviour based safety (BBS) focuses on identifying and improving unsafe actions before they lead to incidents. Through bbs observation and safety behaviour observation, safety professionals and workers can spot risky habits, provide feedback, and reinforce safer practices. This proactive approach makes bbs in safety one of the most effective ways to reduce human error and prevent accidents.
- BBS identifies the human error layer within the Swiss Cheese Model.
- It aims to reduce the frequency and alignment of those “holes” caused by unsafe actions.
- Tools like bbs observation and safety behaviour observation serve as early warning systems, catching behavioural risks before they align with other system failures.
Building a Strong Safety Culture
A robust safety work culture supports every layer of defence. It encourages openness, shared responsibility, and continuous learning. When leaders promote behavioral safety and engage teams through safety surveys and coaching, they build trust and ownership. A strong H&S culture ensures that even if one barrier weakens, others hold firm, preventing accidents from slipping through the cracks.
Bringing It All Together
The Swiss cheese model reminds us that safety is about layers of protection – technical, procedural, and human. Behaviour based safety strengthens the human layer, while a healthy safety work culture keeps all layers aligned and resilient. Together, they form a powerful defence system for lasting accident prevention.
FAQs on the Swiss Cheese Model and Behaviour-Based Safety
- How does the Swiss Cheese Model help in accident prevention?
The Swiss cheese model shows how accidents happen when system weaknesses align. Strengthening every layer – process, equipment, and human behaviour – helps prevent incidents before they occur. - What is the link between the Swiss Cheese Model and Behaviour-Based Safety?
Behaviour based safety (BBS) strengthens the human layer of the Swiss cheese model through bbs observation and safety behaviour observation, reducing unsafe actions and closing behavioural gaps. - How does Behaviour-Based Safety support safety culture?
A strong safety work culture builds on behavioral safety practices and feedback. Regular safety surveys and bbs in safety initiatives promote ownership, shared responsibility, and continuous improvement within the H&S culture.
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About the author
Director – Sustainable solutions at Consultivo
Madhabi Guha specialises in the domains of ESG, Social Compliance, Business and Human Rights, Development Projects and focuses on supporting go-to-market teams along with customer and partner relationships. Madhabi has been working in the sustainability & business excellence advisory business for over 14 years.
Madhabi has been developing individuals, teams, and organisations in the areas of leadership, excellence and Human Factors in the field of sustainability, people and community.
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