Iran Occupational Health

    Background and aims: Accident investigation show that more than 90 percent of accidents cause by human errors. Human errors are also due to cognitive failures. Cognitive failures can be defined as cognitive-based errors on simple tasks that a person is normally able to complete without fault such mistakes include problems with memory, attention or action. The present study was designed to develop a measurement tool for the estimation of cognitive failures in industrial workplaces.

  Methods: In the present analytical-descriptive study, an Occupational Cognitive Failure Questionnaire (OCFQ) was developed. For the evaluation of validity, internal consistency and repeatability of the OCFQ the content validity, Cronbach α coefficient and test-retest methods were used, respectively.

  Results: A draft of 35-items questionnaire was created and following the evaluation of validity, five items were rejected. The new measuring instrument with 30-items was developed. The CVI for the final OCFQ was found to be acceptable (CVI=0.7). Results showed that the final OCFQ was internally consistent (α=0.96) and repeatable (ICC =0.996 and P<0.001).

  Conclusion: For measurement of cognitive failure in industrial workplaces, a valid and reliable instrument is required. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that the developed questionnaire (OCFQ) is a valid and reliable tool for the estimation of cognitive failures in industrial workplaces.