Human Factors Engineering

Another runway incursion event (AUS – 2023)

This information is preliminary and subject to change. On February 4, 2023, at about 0640 central standard time (CST), Federal Express (FedEx) flight 1432 (FDX1432), a Boeing 767-32LF, and Southwest Airlines flight 708 (SWA708), a Boeing 737-79P were involved in a runway incursion with overflight that resulted in a loss of separation at the Austin-Bergstrom […]

PIFs and Error Traps

Performance Influencing Factors (PIFs) is another term, from across the pond, for error traps.  You will see me use these terms interchangeably in my HF postings, as I was formally trained to use the term PIFs, but these days it seems we use the term trap.  But after spending a year working with an organization

CONSISTENCY matters in HFE (Colors)

I have mentioned this fundamental HF design need in several of my postings.  CONSISTENCY is key in helping reduce human error.  I like to use STOP signs as my example.  But here are some fundamental principles when analyzing computer screens, workplace signs, etc., when it comes to COLORS…

Muschara’s seven principles of Risk-Based Thinking

In Tony Muschara’s 2018 book Risk-Based Thinking, Managing the Uncertainty of Human Error in Operations he so eloquently lays out how “risk-based thinking” has to become a belief and value within senior leadership, such that they are guided by safety in their decisions, responses, and behavior choices.  Muschara has his seven (7) principles of risk-based

A real life “error trap”

There is a common phrase in Human Factors Engineering… “Error Trap.” This is the image we will put next to this phrase in my new book… (i.e., an actual real-life “error trap” door). Scenario: Your singing your favorite song in the shower. The spouse needs to go down to the basement and start a load

Scroll to Top