Course content

This course provides both overall and in-depth insight on major accidents across various industries, including aerospace, aviation, process industries, maritime, land transportation, and oil & gas sectors. Students will examine real-world accident cases through multiple accident causation theories and models, such as sequential, epidemiological, and systemic approaches. By utilizing these analytical frameworks, the course emphasizes identifying root causes, contributing factors, and organizational failings that lead to catastrophic events. The course will also cover accident prevention, with a focus on safety barriers and the role of safety culture in preventing future incidents. Through case studies, discussions, and hands-on exercises, students will gain practical skills in accident analysis and learn how to apply preventive measures in their respective fields.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

The students shall acquire a comprehensive understanding of the underlying latent causes behind major accidents and the methodologies to identify/prevent/mitigate them. This will be achieved by applying various accident causation theories and models to real-world major accident scenarios.

Skills:

Students shall be able to analyse major accidents and identify underlying latent causes. By applying theoretical frameworks, students will learn to develop strategies to prevent and mitigate the impacts of such accidents.

General competence:

Students shall understand the importance of prevention and mitigation of major accidents.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, exercises, and project work. A mandatory project shall be carried out either as individual or group work and will count 100% in the evaluation. The lectures, exercises, and mandatory project are in English.

Compulsory assignments

• Compulsory Activity

Recommended previous knowledge

None.

Course materials

The course material can be downloaded from Blackboard.