APICS CTSC Exam - Topic 3 Question 43 Discussion

Actual exam question for APICS's CTSC exam

Question #: 43
Topic #: 3

[All CTSC Questions]

Which of the following models explains how accidents happen in complex systems?

AContinuous flow

BFast chain

CHerringbone

DSwiss cheese

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: D

According to the CTSC Ex-am Content Manual1, the Swiss cheese model is one of the accident models that explains how accidents happen in complex systems. The model compares the system to a stack of slices of Swiss cheese, where each slice represents a layer of defense or protection against hazards. The holes in the cheese represent weaknesses or failures in each layer. Normally, the holes do not align and the system is safe. However, when the holes align, a hazard can penetrate through the layers and cause an accident. The model illustrates how multiple factors and conditions can combine to create a pathway for an accident.

1: https://www.ascm.org/ctsc-ecm/

by Edwin at Nov 01, 2025, 01:06 PM

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Adaline

13 hours ago

I agree, it shows how layers can fail.

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Donette

6 days ago

I think the Swiss cheese model is the best choice.

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Doretha

11 days ago

Herringbone sounds interesting, but I’m not convinced it fits.

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Sylvie

16 days ago

Wait, are we sure about that? I thought it was B) Fast chain.

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Armanda

21 days ago

Totally agree, Swiss cheese model is the best!

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Sylvia

26 days ago

I think it's D) Swiss cheese.

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Stephaine

1 month ago

D) Swiss cheese, because it's the only one that's not a complete mess, just a partial one.

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Armando

1 month ago

I'll have to go with D) Swiss cheese. It's the only one that's not a complete disaster waiting to happen.

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Pearline

1 month ago

D) Swiss cheese, because it's the only one that has holes in it, just like the holes in my knowledge of this topic.

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Melissia

2 months ago

I'm going with D) Swiss cheese. It's the only one that makes me hungry for a grilled cheese sandwich.

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Bette

2 months ago

D) Swiss cheese is the correct answer. It explains how multiple failures in a complex system can lead to an accident.

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Linn

2 months ago

I feel like the continuous flow model might have something to do with accidents too, but I can't recall the details.

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Roselle

2 months ago

I remember practicing a question about accident models, and I think the fast chain model was mentioned. Could it be related?

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Virgina

3 months ago

Continuous flow is rarely mentioned, but it has its merits too.

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Melvin

3 months ago

I definitely remember the Swiss cheese model being a key concept in our studies, but I’m a bit confused about the other options.

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Alethea

3 months ago

I think the Swiss cheese model is the one that explains how accidents happen, but I'm not entirely sure.

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Quentin

3 months ago

Ugh, I'm drawing a blank on the different models. I'll have to guess on this one and hope I get lucky. The Swiss cheese option sounds the most plausible, but I can't say for certain.

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Lynna

4 months ago

I'm pretty sure the Swiss cheese model is the right answer here. It's the one we spent the most time discussing in class, and it seems to fit the description of the question.

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Carri

4 months ago

The Swiss cheese model sounds familiar, but I can't quite remember the details. I'll have to review my notes to make sure I understand it properly before answering.

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Tanesha

4 months ago

Hmm, I'm not too sure about this one. I'll have to think it through carefully. Maybe the fast chain model could work, but I'm not confident about that.

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Adaline

4 months ago

I think the Swiss cheese model is the one that explains how accidents happen in complex systems. It makes sense with the layers of defenses and how a single failure isn't enough to cause an accident.

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Daron

2 months ago

Yeah, one hole can be covered by another layer.

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Hildred

2 months ago

I agree, the Swiss cheese model really highlights the importance of multiple defenses.

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