Citation

Villemain A, Godon P. Ergonomics 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00140139.2020.1777329

PMID

32487012

Abstract

In this article we seek to explain how safety mechanisms and risks evolve over time. The article focuses on a sociotechnical system, that of a polar traverse (a transport operation in a polar environment). In the study spanning a period of 27 years data were collected with ethnographic participative observations on three traverses. Activities were traced using 1398 daily reports and scale models of the convoy vehicles were used to reconstruct events during the traverses. Self-confrontation interviews were also conducted. A traverse feedback process was carried out which revealed that (1) whereas proactive safety is aimed at maintaining the continuous improvement of a system, reactive safety makes it possible to maintain the system's level of safety; (2) the development of redundancy and mixed technology contribute positively to the safety system. Improvements made to the safety system, its dynamics, and embodied resilience are discussed as well as the study limitations and implications.

Practitioner summary: This article seeks to understand how safety has been ensured in logistical transport in extreme conditions in a case study extending over a period of more than 27 years. The study investigates how risks and safety mechanisms have evolved and the benefits of developing a traverse feedback process to improve safety.

Language: en

Keywords

risks; dynamics; extreme situations; proactive-reactive safety; system improvement