The purpose of integrating human factors (HF) analysis during the early stages in a project is to assist in ensuring the assets associated with the project support efficient and effective operations and maintenance, meet required safety and performance levels, and deliver expected benefits to users during operation and maintenance activities. ...
Human Factors Integration
‘Human Factors’ is the discipline that applies knowledge of human capabilities and limitations to the design, operation and maintenance of technological systems. It draws from established disciplines such as psychology, ergonomics, physiology and engineering. By applying human factors knowledge about people at work to the functional relationships between people, tasks,...
Change Management and End-User Consultation
End-user consultation is vital during change management when implementing design or process changes in safety critical work environments. Discussions with field crews indicated that design, construction and process changes are frequently implemented without adequate consultation with field crews to confirm understanding and compatibility with other operational requirements. Further, suggestions from...
Controller Development and Incentive Strategy Risk
A controller development strategy can aim to cross train controllers to be able to work across up to four different control desks. The renumeration structure also rewards controllers for being deemed competent to operate additional desks, however does not appear to recognise controller expertise. This strategy has the potential benefits...
Distractions during critical work
Distraction during safety critical tasks can reduce human performance and results in quality and / or safety impacts to the work. Vulnerability to distractions is especially critical for routine tasks and an individual will be likely utilising ‘fast thinking’ (intuition) decision making, which effectively reduces the cognitive load by chunking...
Skill acquisition, maintenance and decay
Monitoring skill acquisition and decay plays an important part in ensuring competency for safety critical tasks. Many industries have imposed parameters. For example: Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) require a verification of competency if a control room operator has not worked as a control room operator for...