What do people think about having a specific area for Human Factors as it is now so critical within the Aviation industry? I'm sure there are lots of you guys and gals out there who are in the industry and have issues associated with Human Factors.

I suppose enough interest may spark the creators of the cove forums to organise it.

Many Thanks ;)

Rich Howe
Quality Manager :thanx:

Hi Rich,

As you may be aware, FAR Part 145.163 'Training Program' rule takes affect here in the United States on April 6th this year. Our company hired a full time in-house training manager some time ago to implement such a training program to meet this regulatory requirement.

Human Factors of course, is an integral part of the training program. At this point in time, I'm not sure how the training manager is going about satisfying this requirement. It's is sure to be interesting though.



I suppose enough interest may spark the creators of the cove forums to organise it.



I'm interested already.

My:2cents: worth:

We can do early development of this thread here in the Aerospace Forum. Given enough interest (traffic) on this topic, I feel certain the 'creators of the cove forums' would organize it.

Thanks for starting this timely thread.:applause:

Human Factors Engineering is a specific area of study that is used in every industry and for evey product which requires the physical interaction between something and a person. In aviation it goes all the way back to the time Castor Oil was used to lubricate engines. Orville and Wilbur had to employ the HFE when they designed flight controls.

Good subject.

Human Factors Engineering is a specific area of study that is used in every industry and for evey product which requires the physical interaction between something and a person. In aviation it goes all the way back to the time Castor Oil was used to lubricate engines. Orville and Wilbur had to employ the HFE when they designed flight controls.

Good subject.

Apparently, "Human Factors" is synonymous with "ergonomics." If that's true, why do we see things like Cornell University's Human Factors and Ergonomics Research Group (http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/)? Is there a difference?

They are redundant and repeat themselves!

They are considered to be synonymous for the most part.

HFE is extremely technical and to to get fully involved an understanding of human physiology/physcology is necessary. HFE encompases all factors that can influence human activity to include noise, smell, sight, environmental (heat, cold) and of course touch. Even home interior design requires a sense of HFE understanding and employment. Many times the incorporation of HFE is not identified as such, but it is there never the less.

What do people think about having a specific area for Human Factors...You now have a Human Factors forum. Let's see what you and the others do with it.

The question was asked about what the differences are between Human Factors and Ergonomics, so I emailed Professor Hedge at Cornell based on JSW's link and here is the answer he kindly provided:

In the rest of the world apart from the US, Ergonomics is the overarching discipline. Ergonomics (like medicine) is then organized into various sub-disciplines, two of which are physical ergonomics and cognitive ergonomics. Historically, in the US the term "Human Factors" was used for the discipline instead of "Ergonomics" (the modern version is a UK term) and originally Human Factors and Ergonomics were synonymous. The US professional society is the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (with over 20 different specailization areas). Sometimes in the US a distinction is still drawn between "human factors", which is seen as focusing more on cognitive ergonomics, and "ergonomics" which is seen as focuseing more on physical ergonomics issues. In part this distinction is still maintained because of the fact that other disciplines (physical therapy, occupational therapy etc.) have begun to call themselves "ergonomists", but they can't be "human factors professionals" without appropriate degrees.
Hope this clarifies things.
Alan Hedge"

Interesting.

The question was asked about what the differences are between Human Factors and Ergonomics, so I emailed Professor Hedge at Cornell based on JSW's link and here is the answer he kindly provided
Wow... a bit more complicated than I would have guessed, with the different definitions. Thank's for enlightening us, and send our regards to Prof. Hedge...

/Claes

The question was asked about what the differences are between Human Factors and Ergonomics, so I emailed Professor Hedge at Cornell based on JSW's link and here is the answer he kindly provided:

In the rest of the world apart from the US, Ergonomics is the overarching discipline. Ergonomics (like medicine) is then organized into various sub-disciplines, two of which are physical ergonomics and cognitive ergonomics. Historically, in the US the term "Human Factors" was used for the discipline instead of "Ergonomics" (the modern version is a UK term) and originally Human Factors and Ergonomics were synonymous. The US professional society is the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (with over 20 different specailization areas). Sometimes in the US a distinction is still drawn between "human factors", which is seen as focusing more on cognitive ergonomics, and "ergonomics" which is seen as focuseing more on physical ergonomics issues. In part this distinction is still maintained because of the fact that other disciplines (physical therapy, occupational therapy etc.) have begun to call themselves "ergonomists", but they can't be "human factors professionals" without appropriate degrees.
Hope this clarifies things.
Alan Hedge"

Interesting.

Thanks, Rosie. If I understand the professor's murky response correctly, the distinction (possibly not fully recognized in the US) is that ergonomics has to do with physical issues and human factors is concerned with cognitive or perceptual issues. Does this dichotomy align with what the OP was asking, or is the use of "human factors" in this context synonymous with "ergonomics" in the sense the professor uses? If it's just "ergonomics," why don't we call it that and avoid the confusion?

I found this article while trawling the net for information on ergonomics to help a client in the furniture industry. It is entitled 'A basic ergonomic standard - How to provide optimal working conditions for personnel (ISO 6385).

Since it is ISO related, I am putting the article here to share with those who are interested.

Hello Harry !
:topic:
Go to resource center, on the below page. Some articles, on ergonomics.
maybe they can help you as well.
http://www.strategosinc.com/resources.htm
György

Thanks my friend. I had actually stumble upon this site while searching for info on value stream mapping. Some how I miss the other section. Thanks again.

Why Human Factors Training for Aircraft Maintenance Organizations?
According to a March 2004 USA TODAY article “More than 30% of aircraft accidents from 1997 through 2001 were caused at least in part by maintenance mistakes.”

ValuJet Flight 592

ICAO, EASA (JAA), Transport Canada and FAA have implemented requirements for error prevention training. This mandated error prevention strategy is referred to as human factors training.

Human factors training is not a new concept, but it is a newly mandated regulatory requirement for United States maintenance, repair, overhaul organizations who hold Federal Aviation Administration Certification. Under current regulatory requirements this training rule is to become effective beginning April 6, 2006. See FAR Part 145.163 – Training Rule.

NTSB aviation accident investigation reports often refer to aircraft maintenance departments as causative links in the chain of events that lead to aviation incidents. Detailed review of accident reports reveals that a series of human errors (factors) or chain of events was allowed to form until the accident occurred. In a number of cases, a specific maintenance error itself was the root cause of the accident, whereas in others, the maintenance mistake was just one link in the chain of events that led to the accident.

Objective: Break the chain of maintenance error events to eliminate or to the highest degree possible, reduce the likelihood of human factor errors through training.

Some Examples: Unsafe practices by Management and Maintenance Worker as well as Working Conditions are latent conditions that can impact a maintenance worker’s performance and lead to an unsafe act, an active failure. An unsafe act may directly cause a mishap or injury (e.g., a baggage handler runs the baggage loader into the side of an aircraft and damages it). This could cause an unsafe maintenance (unairworthy) condition, which the aircrew would have to deal with on takeoff, in-flight, or on landing (e.g., and over-torqued hydraulics line that fails in flight causing a fire or an improperly rigged landing gear that collapses on touchdown).

Also, important to note is that unsafe management conditions related to design for maintainability, prescribed maintenance procedures, and / or standard maintenance operations cam be inadequate and lead to unsafe maintenance conditions.

Some human factors examples to which ‘human factors training’ would apply as sighted by regulatory authorities:
1. A supervisor who fails to correct a maintenance worker who routinely bends the rules while performing maintenance would be considered an unsafe management supervisory condition, and failure to correct a know problem.
2. Similarly, a maintenance worker who has a marital problem and cannot focus on a maintenance operation has fallen prey to an unsafe maintenance medical condition (adverse mental state).
3. Further, a maintenance worker who must work in a heavy rain could experience difficulty due to an unsafe working environmental condition (unsafe weather / exposure).
Ultimately these conditions could lead to unsafe maintenance acts such as reversing a step in a procedure (attention / memory errors) as well as not using the prescribed manual (routine violation).

This regulatory mandate for a documented training program that includes human factors training has obviously created quite a stir in the MRO business. Many certificated MRO’s based in the United States will be jumping through hoops to show compliance very soon.

There's going to be opportunity for consultant/training providers.

How interesting to find this thread.:applause:

I studied Information Ergonomics a few years ago. I find it extremely useful using what I learned in almost everything that I do!

I do find though, that when I tell prospective employers, or anyone in fact, that I have studied this subject, they don't have a clue about what it is about!!:nope:

Probably the best way to describe this to anyone who doesn't understand it is 'making things user friendly.' This can apply to anything.

We can't just call it 'ergonomics' because it isn't about just ergonomics. It is about 'information ergonomics' as you have to give information to 'man for use of machine.'

For all those interested in aviation human factors may I refer you to this excellent FAA web site.

Cheers

http://www.hf.faa.gov/

Muleskinner - you mentioned the 145.63 training programme. I am QAM for a 145 foreign repair station, and have until Nov this year to get this programme developed. Would like HR help, but yeah. Quality seem to be the drivers!!! OK, I also have been approached by consultants saying they will write it for us, but we have enough staff skilled here to do that. What I need is some info on training in the AC and the programme - how bigger a job is this training programme? In your opinion does it warrant training overseas to assist implementation of it, and if so what have you heard about any training courses being held as far as their value goes? Would appreciate any comments you may have on this.......thanks

Kiwiland....

If you would like full information on where to get Human Factors Training (EASA compliant, FAA in hand), send a PM or contact direct jc(at)fass.org(dot)uk (jc@fass.org.uk).

I declare an interest, but on the other hand it's meant to be helpful information!

And, what's more, we would love to do some work in New Zealand.

Muleskinner - you mentioned the 145.63 training programme. I am QAM for a 145 foreign repair station, and have until Nov this year to get this programme developed. Would like HR help, but yeah. Quality seem to be the drivers!!! OK, I also have been approached by consultants saying they will write it for us, but we have enough staff skilled here to do that. What I need is some info on training in the AC and the programme - how bigger a job is this training programme? In your opinion does it warrant training overseas to assist implementation of it, and if so what have you heard about any training courses being held as far as their value goes? Would appreciate any comments you may have on this.......thanks

Hello all and Kiwiland,

It's been awhile since I have been here to the cove! I just wanted to bump this thread to see how it's going out for others who have developed their Training Program required by the FAA. I am still looking for the most effective way to teach Human Factors to our repair station personnel in a manner they will understand and feel impowered by that knowledge. What's new out there? :bigwave:

Hello all and Kiwiland,

It's been awhile since I have been here to the cove! I just wanted to bump this thread to see how it's going out for others who have developed their Training Program required by the FAA. I am still looking for the most effective way to teach Human Factors to our repair station personnel in a manner they will understand and feel impowered by that knowledge. What's new out there? :bigwave:

My FAA required Training Program has been up and running since shortly after the first of the year. So far our PMI seems satisfied with our progress. But that's beside the point of interest here. :lol:

I'm providing 'Human Performance Factors in Aviation Maintenance' training to our repair station's technical personnel as well as supervision and management. At first I was getting 'the deer in the headlights' response. Then I stumbled onto good source material (http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/systemsafety/pubs/hpiam/menu.htm) that I've adapted to our repair station's specific need.

I'm getting good feedback and hearing people say things like "I've been in aviation maintenance for 20, 30 years. Why haven't I been given this kind of information before now?" Well, uh, it wasn't required, unless you were in the military, duh! :bonk: Just kidding around a little. This is serious stuff!

In addition to that training course and grading on class participation and written test scores, I've found (do a Google search), purchased and put up 'The Dirty Dozen' posters all over the place. I'd say we've been somewhat successful with HPFAM. Hope this helps.

:thanks: I will check out that source material tomorrow, it looks interesting. Thank you again for the post!