Reason’s three-bucket model is based on the understanding that frontline staff can help to stop errors and unsafe practice occurring if they adopt a risk-aware and 'error-wise' mindset. This will enable them to recognise situations with a high risk of error occurring and improve their ability to correct errors early.
The 'buckets' in the model represent 'self', 'context' and 'task'. The model’s contention is that the possibility of error or unsafe action in any given situation depends to a large extent on how much 'bad stuff' is in those three buckets at any particular time. For instance, 'bad stuff' in the 'self' bucket that might contribute to an error or unsafe practice could include a nurse: