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An Introduction to

Human Factors

Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department

Interaction between humans, the task, the equipment and the environment

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Aim

To give an introduction into what Human Factors are and what can affect them.


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ObjectivesAt the end of this presentation you will be aware of:• The need for Human Factors• What are Human Factors• Understanding Human Factors• The errors that can occur with the interaction

of the interfaces.


4Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department

The need forHuman Factors ?

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Need for Human Factors?Human factors when understood can greatly benefit the person in a system. These benefits include:

• Effectiveness of the system

• Safety

• Efficiency

• Well-being of crew members.



Effectiveness of the System

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4 key elements in understanding Human Factors

• Liveware – the person, you and I

• Hardware – physical, e.g. your chair

• Software – non-physical, e.g. SOP

• Environment – situation in which the L-H-S system interact. Kabul Afghanistan International Airport

Fire Department

What are Human Factors?

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Human Factors Model


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Liveware – the person, you and I

• In centre of the model is the person - L• The critical and most flexible component in

the model. • We are subject to variation in performance

• Edges of the blocks H-S-E are ragged

• Blocks in model must be carefully matched if breakdown is to be avoided.


What are Human Factors?

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1. Physical size and shape

2. Physical needs

3. Input characteristics

4. Information processing

5. Output characteristics

6. Environmental tolerances


6. Characteristics of Liveware


1. Physical size and shape

• Design of a workplaces and equipment, vital role played by physical size & movement

• These vary in age, ethnicity and gender

• Decisions made early stage of design process

• Data for these decisions are available from anthropometry and biomechanics.

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2. Physical needs

People’s requirements for essential items: • Food• Water• Oxygen• Depending on physiology and biology.


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3. Input characteristics

• We have sensory system for collecting information• Enables us to respond to external events and to

carry out a required task• All senses are subject to degradation

Sources of sensory knowledge are• Physiology• Sensory psychology• Biology


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4. Information processing

• Human capabilities have severe limitations. • Failure to account for human limitations can

lead to poor system design. • Short and long-term memory are involved,

as well as motivation and stress. • Psychology is the source of background

knowledge here.



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5. Output characteristicsInformation processed

Muscles

Desired response Physical movement

Communication

• Acceptable control forces and direction of movement have to be known.

• Biomechanics, physiology and psychology provide such knowledge.

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6. Environmental tolerancesEnvironmental factors such as:

• Temperature• Pressure• Humidity• Noise• Time of day• Light and darkness

Can be reflected in performance and well-being and can influence behaviour and performance.


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Liveware – Hardware:

• This interface is the one most commonly considered when speaking of human-machine systems

Liveware – Software:

• This covers humans and the non-physical aspects of the system such as SOP’s


Liveware interaction

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Liveware – Environment• This interface was one of the earliest recognized in

flying. • Later, the trend was to reverse this process• Today, new challenges have arisen

Liveware – Liveware• Fire Dept training carried on an team basis. • If each individual is competent, the team is competent • This is not always true• Fire crews function as groups, group influences play a

role in performance. Kabul Afghanistan International Airport

Fire Department

Liveware interaction

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SafetyIllustration of incident due to Liveware-Liveware failing

A Fire fighter awaiting “water on” is injured by the discharge from a monitor.

Failures can include:• The interaction of the pump operator and the

pump controls, and their apparent unclear labelling.

• Command being given being outweighed by the pump operator being preoccupied with establishing side line supply to operative.


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Efficiency

• Efficiency is also radically influenced by the application of, or the lack of, Human Factors

• The following paragraphs are intended as an overview of particular applications of Human Factors knowledge which relate to efficiency.


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Well-being of Crew MembersSome factors influencing the mental & physical

well-being of Crew members include :• Fatigue• Sleep deprivation or disturbance• Temperature• Noise• Stress• Workstation design


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Control of Human Error

Some factors affecting Human Error:

• Carelessness

• Negligence or poor judgement

• Poorly designed equipment or may result from

• A normal reaction of a person to a particular situation

The latter kind of error is likely to be repeated and its occurrence can be anticipated.


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Errors at Model Interface

Each of the interfaces in the SHEL model has a potential of error where there is a mismatch between its components.


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Information Processing• Before a person can react to information, it

must first be sensed; there is potential for error here because the sensory systems function within a narrow range.

• After conclusions have been formed about the meaning of a message, decision-making begins.

• Many factors may lead to erroneous decisions:


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Example of poor Information ProcessingBecause of the high cost of aviation gasoline, a private Jet pilot once wrote to his aviation administration and asked if he could mix kerosene in his aircraft fuel.

He received the following reply:



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”Regrettably decision involves uncertainties. Kerosene utilization consequences questionable, with respect to metalloferrous components and power production.”

The Jet pilot did not process the information he had just received efficiently and replied:

”Thanks. This will sure cut my fuel bill.”

He then received this urgent, and far clearer, communication from his aviation administration office:


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”DON’T USE KEROSENE. IT COULD KILL THE ENGINE – AND YOU TOO!”

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Controlling Human ErrorThe control of human error requires two differentapproaches:1. Minimize occurrence of errors by: • High levels of staff competence• Design controls to match human characteristics• Provide proper checklists, procedures, SOP’s etc.• Reduce stressful conditions


2. Reduce consequences of remaining errors by:• Cross-monitoring Crews• Close Crew co-operation.

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SUMMARY

We have now been introduced into the complex subject of Human factors. We covered:• What are Human Factors

• Which interfaces play a part in Human Factors

• The errors that can occur with the interaction of the interfaces

• Name the 4 key elements of Human Factors:

L – H – S – E Kabul Afghanistan International Airport

Fire Department

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Questions


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Thank you and look forward


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