Bringing Together - Human Factors, the Safety Cycle and Risk Assessment

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Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the Relationship Between SMS Risk Assessment and Human Factors Engagement

Introduction - Understanding Human Factors in Risk Management

By understanding and addressing human factors, organizations can significantly reduce risks and enhance safety. This integration ensures that systems are designed with the user in mind, controls are practical and effective, and continuous improvement is based on real-world human performance data.

The Safety Cycle: 

The Safety Cycle refers to a systematic process designed to continuously improve safety within an organization. It involves identifying hazards, assessing risks, implementing controls, and monitoring their effectiveness.

Risk Assessment - The process of evaluating the potential risks associated with identified hazards, focusing on the likelihood of occurrence and the severity of their consequences.

• Risk Analysis: Quantifying or qualitatively describing the risk levels.

• Risk Evaluation: Comparing assessed risks against predefined acceptable risk criteria to prioritize them.

• Risk Control - The process of implementing measures to mitigate identified risks, aiming to reduce either the likelihood of occurrence or the severity of the consequences.

Hierarchy of Controls:

• Elimination: Removing the hazard entirely.

• Substitution: Replacing the hazard with something less dangerous.

• Engineering Controls: Isolating people from the hazard through design.

• Administrative Controls: Changing how people work to reduce exposure to the hazard.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Providing protective gear to reduce the impact of exposure.

Human Factors (HF): 

The study of how humans interact with elements of a system, encompassing ergonomic, cognitive, and organizational aspects. It aims to optimize human well-being and system performance by considering human capabilities and limitations.

• Understanding how human errors can contribute to risks. This involves studying cognitive load, decision-making processes, and physical limitations.

• Implementing controls that consider human behaviour and ergonomics.

>> This includes designing user-friendly interfaces, providing adequate training, and ensuring effective communication channels.

Risk Management:

The process of identifying, assessing, and controlling risks to ensure the safety and efficiency of operations. It involves systematic procedures to minimize the impact of hazards.

• Identifying potential hazards related to human performance, such as fatigue, stress, miscommunication, and ergonomic issues.

• These human-related hazards can significantly increase the likelihood of accidents or errors. (Identifying them early is crucial for effective risk management.)

• Accurate risk assessments must include the probability and impact of human errors.

>> This requires considering scenarios where human factors play a critical role.

Example Risk Exposures - Specific Examples of Human Factors in Risk Management

• Fatigue: Increases the likelihood of errors, slow reaction times, and impaired judgment.

• Stress: This can lead to poor decision-making, reduced concentration, and increased mistakes.

• Communication: Miscommunication can result in incorrect procedures, missed steps, and misunderstandings.

• High Cognitive Load: can lead to errors due to information overload or task complexity.

• Ergonomics: Poor ergonomic design can cause physical strain, leading to mistakes or injuries.

Human Factors Risk Control Best Practices:

• Train and educate personnel on risk controls, emphasizing the importance of following procedures and recognizing human limitations.

• Continuously monitoring human performance and behaviour to identify new hazards or areas where controls may be failing.

• Encouraging a culture of continuous learning and improvement in human performance and behaviour.

Connections Between Human Factors, the Safety Cycle, and Risk Assessment

Human Factors in Risk Assessment:

>> Human factors play a crucial role in identifying and assessing risks, as human error is a significant source of hazards in many systems.

>> Understanding cognitive and behavioural aspects can improve hazard identification and risk analysis processes.

Human Factors in the Safety Cycle:

>> Incorporating human factors into the safety cycle enhances the effectiveness of safety measures by considering how humans interact with systems and processes.

>> Ergonomic design and user-centred approaches can improve hazard identification, risk control measures, and monitoring practices.

Risk Assessment in the Safety Cycle:

>> Risk assessment is a fundamental component of the safety cycle, guiding the identification of hazards, analysis of risks, and implementation of control measures.

>> Continuous risk assessment ensures that the safety cycle adapts to new hazards and changing conditions, maintaining an up-to-date safety management system.

Integrating Human Factors into Risk Management

• Holistic Approach: Incorporating human factors into every stage of the risk management process ensures a comprehensive approach to safety.

>> This includes designing systems and processes that accommodate human capabilities and limitations.

• Data-Driven: Using data from incident reports, near-misses, and employee feedback to continuously improve understanding of human factors and their impact on risk.

• Training and Education: Ongoing training programs focused on human factors awareness and mitigation strategies, empowering employees to recognize and address their own potential for error.

• Culture of Safety: Promoting a safety culture where employees feel responsible for identifying and mitigating risks and where human factors are seen as integral to overall safety and performance.

 

Next Steps

 

Sofema Aviation Services and Sofema Online provide Human Factors, Safety and Maintenance Event Decision Aid (MEDA) Training programs, together with Training for Trainers in the mentioned Courses. Delivered as Classroom, Webinar and Online courses – Please see the respective websites or email [email protected].

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