The document introduces human factors and discusses the interaction between humans, tasks, equipment, and the environment. It covers the four key elements of human factors as liveware (the person), hardware (physical equipment), software (non-physical aspects like procedures), and environment. The document discusses how errors can occur at the interfaces between these elements when there is a mismatch. Specifically, it examines safety incidents from failures in liveware-liveware and liveware-hardware interactions.

1. An Introduction to Human Factors Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department Interaction between humans, the task, the equipment and the environment 1

2. Aim To give an introduction into what Human Factors are and what can affect them. Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department 2

3. Objectives At the end of this presentation you will be aware of: The need for Human Factors What are Human Factors Understanding Human Factors The errors that can occur with the interaction of the interfaces. Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department 3

4. Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department 4 The need for Human Factors ?

5. Need for Human Factors? Human factors when understood can greatly benefit the person in a system. These benefits include: • Effectiveness of the system • Safety • Efficiency • Well-being of crew members. Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department 5

6. Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department 6 Effectiveness of the System

7. 4 key elements in understanding Human Factors Liveware – the person, you and I Hardware – physical, e.g. your chair Software – non-physical, e.g. SOP Environment – situation in which the L-H-S system interact. Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department 7 What are Human Factors?

8. 8 Human Factors Model Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department

9. Liveware – the person, you and I In centre of the model is the person - L The critical and most flexible component in the model. We are subject to variation in performance Edges of the blocks H-S-E are ragged Blocks in model must be carefully matched if breakdown is to be avoided. Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department 9 What are Human Factors?

10. Physical size and shape Physical needs Input characteristics Information processing Output characteristics Environmental tolerances Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department 10 6. Characteristics of Liveware

12. These vary in age, ethnicity and gender

13. Decisions made early stage of design process

14. Data for these decisions are available from anthropometry and biomechanics.11

15. 2. Physical needs People’s requirements for essential items: Food Water Oxygen Depending on physiology and biology. Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department 12

16. 3. Input characteristics We have sensory system for collecting information Enables us to respond to external events and to carry out a required task All senses are subject to degradation Sources of sensory knowledge are Physiology Sensory psychology Biology Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department 13

17. 4. Information processing Human capabilities have severe limitations. Failure to account for human limitations can lead to poor system design. Short and long-term memory are involved, as well as motivation and stress. Psychology is the source of background knowledge here. Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department 14

20. Liveware – Hardware: This interface is the one most commonly considered when speaking of human-machine systems Liveware – Software: This covers humans and the non-physical aspects of the system such as SOP’s Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department 17 Liveware interaction

22. Later, the trend was to reverse this process

24. If each individual is competent, the team is competent

25. This is not always true

26. Fire crews function as groups, group influences play a role in performance. Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department 18 Liveware interaction

27. Safety Illustration of incident due to Liveware-Liveware failing A Fire fighter awaiting “water on” is injured by the discharge from a monitor. Failures can include: The interaction of the pump operator and the pump controls, and their apparent unclear labelling. Command being given being outweighed by the pump operator being preoccupied with establishing side line supply to operative. Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department 19

28. Efficiency Efficiency is also radically influenced by the application of, or the lack of, Human Factors The following paragraphs are intended as an overview of particular applications of Human Factors knowledge which relate to efficiency. Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department 20

29. Well-being of Crew Members Some factors influencing the mental & physical well-being of Crew members include : Fatigue Sleep deprivation or disturbance Temperature Noise Stress Workstation design Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department 21

30. Control of Human Error Some factors affecting Human Error: Carelessness Negligence or poor judgement Poorly designed equipment or may result from A normal reaction of a person to a particular situation The latter kind of error is likely to be repeated and its occurrence can be anticipated. Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department 22

31. Errors at Model Interface Each of the interfaces in the SHEL model has a potential of error where there is a mismatch between its components. Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department 23

32. Information Processing Before a person can react to information, it must first be sensed; there is potential for error here because the sensory systems function within a narrow range. After conclusions have been formed about the meaning of a message, decision-making begins. Many factors may lead to erroneous decisions: Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department 24

33. Example of poor Information Processing Because of the high cost of aviation gasoline, a private Jet pilot once wrote to his aviation administration and asked if he could mix kerosene in his aircraft fuel. He received the following reply: Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department 25

34. ”Regrettably decision involves uncertainties. Kerosene utilization consequences questionable, with respect to metalloferrous components and power production.” The Jet pilot did not process the information he had just received efficiently and replied: ”Thanks. This will sure cut my fuel bill.” He then received this urgent, and far clearer, communication from his aviation administration office: Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department 26

35. ”DON’T USE KEROSENE. IT COULD KILL THE ENGINE – AND YOU TOO!” Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department 27

38. Questions Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department 30

39. Thank you and look forward Kabul Afghanistan International Airport Fire Department 31