October 04, 2018

sasadmin

Within the workplace the consequences of human failure can be significant, unfortunately, we are all capable of error regardless of our training or motivation

A human error is an action or decision which was not intended, however, it is important to consider that human failure is not random. There are two main types of human failure: errors and violations.

Errors often occur highly trained procedures where the person carrying them out does not need to concentrate on what they are doing (Improved design can reduce their likelihood and provide a more error tolerant system)

Violations are rarely malicious (sabotage) and usually result from an intention to get the job done as efficiently as possible. Getting to the root cause of any violation is the key to understanding and hence preventing the violation.

Organisation Obligations

The potential for Human Error should be managed proactively and should be addressed as part of a wider risk assessment process.

It is understood across all industries that human failure contributes to almost all accidents and inadvertent exposures to substances which are hazardous to health.

The obligation is on all companies to manage human failure using strong and robust processes which are essentially part of error-tolerant systems.

Pre-Cursors to Human Factor Error

The potential for human failures is influenced by a number of performance influencing factors – For example the competence of the worker, the design of interfaces, the potential for distraction, time pressure, workload, morale, noise levels as well as communication systems.

Effective Management of Human Error:

a) Human failure is normal and predictable. It can be identified and managed.

b) The organisation should tackle error reduction in a structured and proactive way (from within the SMS)

c) A poorly designed activity is more likely to fail – If possible to involve workers in the design of tasks and procedures.

d) Use risk assessment techniques to identify the potential for human failure. As well as to consider, the performance influencing factors, and the control measures necessary to prevent it.

e) Any event Investigations should always establish the “root cause”

 

Risk Assessment Best Practice

a) Do not assume that people will always follow procedures.

b) Do not rely solely on training as a mitigation for exposure.

c) Ensure that the human component is always considered in the context of human performance at all in risk assessments

d) Never assume that any problems will be identified before an event takes place

 

Sofema Aviation Services www.sassofia.com  and our sister company SofemaOnline www.sofemaonline.com provide classroom and online training for regulatory and vocational training fully compliant with EASA requirements. For any questions or request please email office@sassofia.com or online@sassofia.com

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EASA Part 145