Human Factors Engineering

Here’s a safety formula you won’t see on the ASP/CSP/CIH/PE exam, but it may be the most influential for a safety professional to know: B = f(P, E)

Kurt Lewin’s Behavioral Theory from the 1940’s can be summarized as B = f(P, E). This means that Behavior is a function (f) of:1) the person (P) (i.e., their internal traits, history) and2) their environment (E) (i.e., physical, social, and psychological) This means unsafe acts should NOT be blamed solely on the individual; they are…...

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Human Factors 101… When you see it (elevators)

These are from the same hotel and the same bank of elevators. Hint: We must always be consistently “grounded” in our HF design. Day 1 I came down in the elevator shown on the left. Day 2 I came down in the elevator shown on the right and ended up in the basement!… Membership Required...

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Mistakes that are failures in decision-making

Human failure is a term used to describe ways in which humans in a system deviate from the intended course of action. As a leader, you must recognize why you and others make errors and mistakes and use this knowledge to prevent this from happening again. A leader also plays an essential role in setting…...

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Work-as-Done vs Work-as-Imagined

Many safety management systems are initially developed in a theoretical environment or for ideal situations with implicit and explicit assumptions about the system’s optimal performance, equipment, and human activities. This is often called WORK-AS-IMAGINED and is formally documented in training, procedures, and equipment operating manuals. Differences between the designed performance or WORK-AS-IMAGINED and the realities…...

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Performing a Human Reliability Assessment (HRA)

This information is intended to assist in assessing the human contribution to risk, commonly known as Human Reliability Assessment (HRA).  There are two (2) distinct types of HRA: qualitative assessments that aim to identify potential human failures and optimise the factors that may influence human performance, and quantitative assessments which, in addition, aim to estimate…...

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Human Errors and lack of verification leads to Hydrogen Tube Trailer Fire (2K evacuated & $175K in damages)

The NTSB has determined that the probable cause of the 2018 Hydrogen tube trailer fire in California was human errors made by two non-related personnel from two different companies with both workers making errors on the pressure relief system: REQUALIFICATION TECHNICIAN’S installation of an INCORRECTLY RATED PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICE in cylinder No. 14, which actuated…...

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You will not stop all human error

You will not stop all human error, but you can work on why those errors occurred and reduce the frequency, severity, and likelihood of humans to make similar mistakes. Trace the triggers backward and you’ll find a cause. “Be more careful and pay attention” are not root causes. Quit fooling yourself! #safety #goallin #fixtheculture #growyourteam…...

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Eeny, meeny, miny, moe (Human Factors)

You’re getting ready to perform your pressure testing and the boss says the six-pack of Nitrogen or Oxygen (he can’t remember which) is out back.  You walk out back and this is all you see… what do you do?  By the way, pressure testing with Oxygen is illegal in most states and VERY UNSAFE in…...

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