As the technical complexity of aircraft has developed over the last 100 years the nature of interaction with people associated with the maintenance of aircraft began to matter more & more and in fact today human factors is relevant in just about every aspect and element of the maintenance system.
The use of the term “human factors” in the context of aviation maintenance engineering is relatively new. In fact, EASA only started mandating Compulsory HF training from 2005.
Several Landmark aircraft accidents, for example, Aloha aircraft in the USA in 1988 and British Airways BAC 1-11 windscreen accident in the UK in June 1990 showed that there was an unacceptable level of exposure to the potential of Maintenance Human Factors MHF.
Technology, organisational systems and processes all need to be designed to pay attention to the potential exposure caused by human engagement. Improvements in Human Factor Behaviour can be driven by trained and competent employees who are fully engaged with a safe and effective maintenance system.
If an accident can happen the common acceptance is that one day it WILL happen. Unfortunately, the likelihood that this will come to a realisation increases with the involvement of Humans. In fact, the ratio of Human Error to Machine Error is currently 4 to 1 means that 80% of events, incidents and accidents are attributable to Human Performance and 20% to Machine Defects or Deficiencies.
It is not all bad news because every human exposure we see can, in fact, be “managed” means we can mitigate and reduce any exposures to the potential of Human Error. (The challenge is to do so in an effective way.)
An understanding of the importance of human factors within the aircraft maintenance engineering environment is essential and is fundamental to anyone considering achieving an Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Licence.
The study of Human Factors is about understanding human behavior and performance. When applied to aviation operations, Human Factors knowledge is used to optimize the fit between people and the systems in which they work in order to improve safety and performance.
Measuring an Effective Organisational Human Factors System requires evidence of the willingness of aviation system employees to engage the Human Factors & Error Management System, together with the willingness of the Organisation to deliver the highest calibre of HF training.
Setting and measuring performance targets related to key HF performance indicators should be set to determine the effectiveness of the HF program.
Any system gaps and shortfalls should become a strong driver to positively influence change.
Sofema Aviation Services (www.sassofia.com) and SofemaOnline (www.sofemaonline.com) provide multiple training courses for HF Initial and Recurrent, together with HF Training for Trainers and HF Training for Part 66 Module 9 Human Factors Training for Foreign Part 145 Components, Engines and APU Certifying Staff.
Please see the websites or email office@sassofia.com or online@sassofia.com
Tags:
HF training, Human Error, Maintenance Human Factors, aviation human factors
