Module 9A. Human Factors

9.1 General

The need to take human factors into account;
Incidents attributable to human factors/human error;
"Murphy’s" law

9.2 Human Performance and Limitations

Vision;
Hearing;
Information processing;
Attention and perception;
Memory;
Claustrophobia and physical access.

9.3 Social Psychology

Responsibility: individual and group;
Motivation and de-motivation;
Peer pressure;
"Culture" issues;
Team working;
Management, supervision and leadership

9.4 Factors Affecting Performance 

Fitness/health;
Stress: domestic and work related;
Time pressure and deadlines;
Workload: overload and underload;
Sleep and fatigue, shiftwork;
Alcohol, medication, drug abuse.

9.5 Physical Environment

Noise and fumes;
Illumination;
Climate and temperature;
Motion and vibration;
Working environment.

9.6 Tasks

Physical work;
Repetitive tasks;
Visual inspection;
Complex systems.

9.7 Communication

Within and between teams;
Work logging and recording;
Keeping up to date, currency;
Dissemination of information

9.8 Human Error

Error models and theories;
Types of error in maintenance tasks;
Implications of errors (i.e. accidents);
Avoiding and managing errors.

9.9 Hazards in the Workplace

Recognising and avoiding hazards;
Dealing with emergencies.