Human Factors & Ergonomics is about understanding how human behavior at all levels of an organization can cause accidents. Investigations from across our industry tell us that human and organizational factors lie at the root of serious incidents. If we can recognize when these factors arise in our activities, we can learn how to manage them and prevent harm to people, assets, environment and thereby reputation.
Human Factor Engineering cover several topics that are grouped into the following three categories:
Plant and Equipment
Plant and equipment should be designed, located and modified to reduce errors during use, maintenance, inspection and testing. The effects of the environment in which plant and equipment is operated must also be considered. Design should consider emergency situations when errors are more likely.
Processes
Procedures should be clear and practical. Risk assessment and incident investigations should consider human factors. Safety critical communications must be clear, unambiguous and understood by all involved. Organizations must manage change. Staffing levels and workloads must not jeopardize safety. Non-technical skills such as Situation Awareness, Decision Making, Communication, Teamwork, Leadership, and Performance shaping factors (like stress and fatigue) should be considered.
People
People need the right training and competence along with the right level of supervision. Strong safety leadership should underpin everything. Human error and its management should be understood along with influencing factors like fatigue. Good working practices should be reinforced. Poor practices should be identified, understood and then changed.
