Potential causes of accidents in outdoor pursuits (the Meyer/Williamson matrix)
The Meyer/Williamson matrix is a framework enumerating potential causes of accidents in outdoor activities. I first ran across it in Deb Ajango’s Lessons Learned II, but I’ve had a really hard time finding an original source to cite. It appears to be taken from various presentations that Dan Meyer and Jed Williamson have given over several decades. There are various PDF versions floating around the web, but they tend to linkrot and I’ve never found a good HTML version. I’m reproducing it here so that I’ve got a good stable HTML version to link to in the future. If folks know of a better primary source, please get in touch.
Potential Causes Of Accidents In Outdoor Pursuits
Potentially unsafe conditions due to:
- Inadequate area security (physical, political, cultural)
- Falling objects (rocks, etc)
- Weather
- Equipment/clothing
- Swift/cold water
- Animals/plants
- Physical/psychological profile of participants
Potentially unsafe acts due to:
- Inadequate protection
- Inadequate instruction
- Inadequate supervision
- Unsafe speed (fast/slow)
- Inadequate or improper food/drink/medications
- Poor position
- Unauthorized/improper procedure (includes failing to follow directions, misuse of technology)
Potential errors in judgement due to:
- Desire to please others
- Trying to adhere to a schedule
- Misperception
- New or unexpected situation (includes fear and panic)
- Fatigue
- Distraction
- Miscommunication
- Disregarding instincts