Human Factors Analysis Tools
HFAT® is our award winning set of tools for incident investigation. Existing methods tend to treat human error or non-compliance as the cause of an incident. HFAT® treats this as the starting point and guides the investigator to gain a deeper understanding of why people at all levels in the organisation behaved as they did. Investigators can then determine how to influence such behaviour in the future.
Who's it for?
HFAT® is used by experienced investigators to analyse intentional and unintentional behaviours that cause or contribute to incidents.
We offer HFAT® training courses at client sites. We also run public courses.
Our next open HFAT® course dates are:
- 25-26th November 2026 (online)
Please email our team to book.
HFAT® training is designed for delegates who:
- have a minimum of 2 years operational management/ supervisory and/or HSE experience
- are trained in an incident investigation methodology to a competent level, and practised in its use
- want to deepen their understanding and application of human factors tools and techniques, and promote their use
Benefits
Our training is:
- applicable – delegates learn to adopt a structured, step-by-step process
- goal-oriented – delegates learn how to influence behaviour and develop a tailored set of recommendations
- practical – delegates practice using the tools during the training
- relevant – real life case studies are used in the training
- evidence-based – The Keil Centre’s human factors investigation specialists have more than 60 years’ combined experience in investigating incidents. This experience includes aviation, rail, oil and gas, and the process industries.
Find out more
Our team are happy to provide more information. Please click on the relevant button below to contact us.
Behavioural root cause analysis with HFAT®
HFAT® is specifically designed to supplement an organisation’s existing investigation process, removing the need to retrain existing staff in a completely new set of methods. Existing methods tend to treat human error or non-compliance as the cause of an incident. HFAT® treats this as the starting point and guides the investigator to gain a deeper understanding of why people at all levels in the organisation behaved as they did. Investigators can then determine how to influence such behaviour in the future.
This approach to behavioural root cause analysis helps investigators explore the circumstances and influences behind people’s actions. The aim is to turn investigation findings into effective behavioural recommendations that support learning and reduce the recurrence of incidents.
Understand human error
Use structured human error analysis to explore why unintentional behaviours occurred and what influenced people’s performance.
Examine non-compliance
Understand why rules or procedures were not followed by examining the circumstances and factors that shaped behaviour.
Develop effective recommendations
Use a deeper understanding of behaviour to identify practical actions that address the investigation findings.
Practical two-day HFAT® training
We offer a two-day HFAT® training course, which is very practical in nature. During the course, delegates gain experience of using HFAT®’s structured worksheets and are supplied with the worksheets for use after the training. This includes the e-HFAT® electronic tool.
The course helps experienced investigators apply behavioural root cause analysis within their existing investigation methodology, using practical tools to connect their findings with recommendations.
What does the course cover?
The two-day HFAT® training course:
- Provides a basic understanding of how human factors influence health and safety behaviour and performance.
- Enables experienced incident investigators to better understand why people involved in incidents behaved as they did.
- Helps investigators write effective behavioural recommendations to reduce the recurrence of incidents.
By practising with the tools during the course, delegates develop experience of applying a structured approach to behavioural analysis. The worksheets support continued application within their organisation’s existing investigation process.
Understanding the factors behind behaviour
An investigation that identifies human error or non-compliance as a cause still needs to explain why that behaviour occurred. Understanding how people process information and the context in which people were working helps investigators identify opportunities for improvement.
Behavioural root cause analysis can involve examining how tasks, procedures, equipment, working conditions and organisational arrangements influenced actions and decisions. Recommendations can then address the cause of the behaviour.
HFAT® supports this analysis by helping investigators understand intentional and unintentional behaviours across different levels of an organisation.
Award-winning Human Factors Analysis Tools
The HFAT® development project won the British Psychological Society’s Practitioner of the Year Award.
Investigation expertise across industries
Our team includes experts who have previously worked full time in investigation roles for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), air traffic control (NATS) and the oil and gas/energy sector.
The HFAT® methods have been used successfully by investigators in the petrochemical, offshore oil and gas, pharmaceutical, food manufacture, forestry, construction, aviation and rail transport industries. More than 50 organisations worldwide use the tools and they are available in several different languages.
Across these settings, behavioural root cause analysis helps investigators examine the influences on human performance and identify practical opportunities to reduce recurrence.
Find out more about our team and our wider incident investigation services.
Supporting your investigation capability
Alongside HFAT®, The Keil Centre offers complementary training and specialist support:
- Incident investigation training to develop practical skills across the investigation process.
- Investigative Interviewing to strengthen evidence gathering through effective interviews.
- Investigation Support for specialist human factors input during an investigation.
Strengthen your behavioural root cause analysis
Get in touch to discuss behavioural root cause analysis, HFAT® training and how the tools can complement your existing investigation process.