Human Factors in Aviation - Considers Repetitive Tasks
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What are Repetitive Tasks?
When we talk about “repetitive tasks”, we mean tasks which are performed several times during a shift (Daily check or Transit Check for example). There are more mundane tasks, for example, checking aircraft life jackets. What happens physiologically is that as a person becomes complacent his alertness decreases along with his performance.
Repetitive tasks are essential tasks which require a low level of mental acuity. Such tasks can quickly become tedious and therefore induce a low level of arousal within the worker.
To put it another way, the task is boring!
However boring does not mean that the task is not important - in some cases even it is critical, in others - less so.
Remember the saying "familiarity breeds contempt" - It is never more applicable than in the context of working with repetitive aircraft maintenance tasks.
The Potential Danger of Complacency
Complacency provides us with a degree of self-satisfaction this is especially so when accompanied by unawareness of the potential (or actual) dangers and deficiencies. Which in the context of safety simply means that complacency can be dangerous.
The potential Human factor exposure related to repetitive tasks is that the worker simply becomes so competent that an assumption of total understanding becomes normal. Thus we reach the threshold of complacency. We the maintenance staff no longer see the need to consult the documentation. If the task was ever changed it would be missed!
Unfortunately, as we become more experienced in both life and at work, it starts to become too easy to slip into a complacent way of working so to address this in the best vigilance should become our watchword!
How to Mitigate Complacency?
Paying attention to self & others - we need to be able to focus - means we need the self-discipline to be able to control our activities, however, we must also take regular breaks, we are not machines.
If you do notice that you are losing focus you must STOP and reassess your situation (or support your colleagues to do so too).
Consider that if it is an environmental issue it may be appropriate to report into the SMS.
Consider implementing simple checklists which can often catch subtle errors (if done correctly).
SAS & SOL offer training in Human Factors, Safety Management Systems Implementation & Management, Maintenance Error Management, and Training for Trainers in a Human Factors and Maintenance Environment. For details please see www.sassofia.com & www.sofemaonline.com or email office@sassofia.com & online@sassofia.com
