Safety researchers set high goals for potentially improving human factors and have started large projects, such as the PRISM-project in Europe in order to achieve these goals. In this paper, an approach for a human factor program is suggested as a learning experience through case studies from incidents and accidents in Iceland and Netherlands. From these observations, a more holistic system view is proposed involving authorities and contractors. Further, it is proposed to strengthen the company from the inside by building up an effective risk communication system between all employees. The risk communication includes physical as well as chemical risks from the environment, but also the psychological barriers between the humans themselves, which often have very serious consequences when they are not dealt within an appropriate way. It is suggested to use incidents and accidents as a basis for improving the system. The best way of learning is to improve constantly the mental model of the total system. Any incident or accident should then be analysed with regard to the basic scenarios that are used to describe risks within a certain workstation. All risks. process risks, emotional risks, risk communications and group risk shall be addressed. This should improve human factors, the accident reporting system and consequently also the safety culture of the company. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.