HUMAN FACTORS

Human Factors Management is the discipline of optimising human performance in the workplace. It concerns itself with the integration of the human-machine-process interface. It takes a user centred approach to understanding the whole system and its influence on the way people behave and interact with technology or a process to perform a task. Human Factors interventions are typically applied in operations where safety is critical, such as all modes of transport, mining and nuclear operations.

 

Excluding Human Factors from safety programs and interventions will not improve safety or prevent accidents and incidents. A Human Factors audit and analysis will identify risks in this area and specific interventions to mitigate these risks will be developed.

The following are typical interventions that could be developed according to an organisation’s specific needs in order to address Human Factors and improve safety performance:

• Behaviour Safety Programs – Research into accidents and incidents shows that for every fatality thousands of unsafe behaviours occur undetected. Eliminating unsafe behaviours will therefore result in curbing injuries, accidents and fatalities. A behaviour programme assists in the identification and reducing of at risk behaviours through systematic consequence management. Such a programme also addresses the systems and processes that support behaviours. Expensive in cab monitoring devices often prove to be ineffective if not supported by the correct behaviour programme. A behaviour programme will be designed to support end enhance existing interventions.

•   Fatigue Management – Any activity that requires high vigilance, is monotonous and stressful and requires maintaining a certain body position, will lead to fatigue. Fatigue in transport operations is a reality and is often more pronounced due to long hours or shift working. Fatigue management programs and lifestyle strategies can address workplace fatigue and has become a best practice internationally to reduce accidents, improve vigilance as well as the quality of life of employees.

•   System design – Operators often employ unknowingly scheduling/roster designs and practices that induces fatigue. Rosters will be assessed to determine whether they comply with the scientific principles that reduce fatigue. Fatigue assessment tools could be applied to assess the potential fatigue inherent to a schedule.

•    Safety Culture Audits and Development – The safety culture of a company either supports safe behaviours or undermines it. A safety culture audit will diagnose the nature and strength of the safety culture. Strategies, that could include changes in policies, systems and leadership behaviours in order to develop a strong safety culture, can be implemented.

•   Human Error Root Cause Analysis – International studies show that Human Error is the root cause of 80-90% of incidents. Most professional accident investigations in South Africa can adequately deal with the technical and physical aspects of an incident.   However, due to the virtual absence of Human Factors specialists in South Africa, this critical aspect is woefully dealt with.   Consequently the underlying true root cause of the accident is rarely identified - with the result that accidents regularly repeat themselves with tragic consequences.