As we have discussed before, all drivers (including all parts of the world) can recognize the universal symbol for STOP. It is a RED OCTAGON-shaped sign LOCATED on the side of the road at the SAME height in all locations. Granted, the sign may be on different sides of the road, based on the country…...
Color, Size, Location, and Shape of visual indicators matter in HFE Read More »
As we work on a project for a client, I am reminded of the stark contrast in HF expectations across industries. Having grown up in the chemical industries managing PSM/RMP-covered processes, Human Factors (HF) has been “a thing” since 1992. HF was very much a steep learning curve and still is for many. I spent…...
Designing a system around Human Factors Engineering (HFE) Read More »
Nine (9) principles for incorporating human factors into LEARNING investigations:… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...
Nine principles for incorporating human factors into LEARNING investigations Read More »
During offshore energy operations, a worker was recently injured while attempting to install a hydraulic line on a pipe-handling machine. The worker determined that the combination wrench on hand was too long for this particular use and attempted to manually alter the tool by placing the wrench into a vice to shorten the length using…...
Adaptation and Modification of Tool Results in Injury (BSEE Alert) Read More »
Thanks to Ross W Skaggs, CSP (ret) , for another pic – follow him @ LinkedIn for more. Today’s pic will make you scratch your head and maybe wonder how that could happen. “No Parking” signs may be one of society’s most widely used signs. They convey a simple directive, yet can you guess the…...
Why “safety signs” often fail to elicit the behavior we need Read More »
Even though this Human Factors model is going on 30 years old, it is still the most widely used and recognizable today. In my process safety career, Human Factors were intended to be part of all Process Hazard(s) analyses; and although the chemical industry adopted some really good checklists to aid in these analyze’s, they…...
Another look at Slips, Lapses, Mistakes, and Violations Read More »
Not a doctored pic – it is real and you can verify it at your local store, which I will not name, but I am betting you can figure it out or at least be close to the target…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log...
Human Factors 101… when you see it (Enter/Exit) Read More »
Size, Shape, and Color matter when reducing human error. It is really quite simple but seems to be a lost art these days. REAL PIC – we can’t even make this stuff up!… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...
Human Factors 101… when you see it (green button) Read More »
Which is most effective? All are real options. The one furthest to the right was one that caused quite a bit of controversy. Imagine trying to read that sign traveling at 40 mph… Human Factors Engineering MATTERS!… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in...
Human Factors 101… which is more effective Read More »
As I have said many times, we MUST examine all Latent Organizational Failures before we even begin to look at the actions of the worker(s). Far too often, investigations will first (and usually only) look at the ACTIVE failures that led to the consequences. This is how so many accidents IMPROPERLY and UNFAIRLY get put…...
Considering “Unsafe Supervision” in our casual analysis Read More »
There are many concepts related to the science and practice of human factors. However, from a practical standpoint, having a unified view of what we should be concerned about is most helpful when considering aviation maintenance human factors. An excellent way to gain this understanding is by using a model. For over a decade, “PEAR”…...
Human Factors PEARS model Read More »
The HFACS model was designed to be a classification tool rather than a predictive tool. However, since its initial development, there has been a lot of interest on whether it can also be used as a predictive tool. That is, can it be used to inform us about which factors in preconditions for unsafe acts,…...
HFACS as a predictive tool Read More »
