Citation

Al-Wardi Y. Int. J. Occup. Safety Ergonomics 2016; 23(3): 366-373.

Affiliation

Aviation Medicine Department , Royal Air force of Oman , Muscat , Oman.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Centralny Instytut Ochrony Pracy - Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10803548.2016.1190233

PMID

27191510

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: It has been observed that rates of aviation accident differ in different regions; and it has been suggested that national culture is implicated as a factor. This invites a discussion about the role of national culture in aviation accidents. This study makes a cross-cultural comparison between Oman, Taiwan, and the USA.

METHOD: A cross-cultural comparison was acquired by using data from three studies, including this study, by applying the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) framework. The Taiwan study presented 523 mishaps with 1,762 occurrences of human error obtained from the Republic of China Air Force. The study from the USA carried out for commercial aviation had 119 accidents with 245 instances of human error. This study carried in Oman had a total of 40 aircraft accidents with 129 incidences.

RESULTS: Variations were found between Oman, Taiwan and the USA at the organisational influences and unsafe supervision levels. Seven HFACS categories showed significant differences between the three countries (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Although not given much consideration; national culture can have an impact on aviation safety. This study revealed that national culture plays a role in aircraft accidents related to human factors that can not be disregarded.

Language: en