Module 2, Lesson 1 - Event Types & Causes

A barrier is any action or process built into the work flow to check for accuracy or quality and that may prevent an incident.
Example: On completing a quality control check list prior to the start of the shift, the tech notices that an expired reagent was placed into use for that day's testing.

A driver and passenger approach a washed out portion of the road. There is a flashing road block. The driver sees it and steers the car to safety.

The roadblock is the barrier that facilitates a planned recovery.

If the recovery action of a near miss event is planned, then the potential consequences were prevented by some sort of barrier.

However, although barriers are designed to avert accidents (or to facilitate recovery), recovery does not always occur as the result of a barrier. Unplanned recoveries happen by chance.

Consider the following examples:

Planned recovery

Unplanned recovery

A driver and passenger approach a washed out portion of the road. There is no roadblock, but the observant passenger sees the problem and yells, "Look out!" The driver responds in time and steers the car to safety.

The passenger's warning facilitates an unplanned recovery.


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