This document discusses human errors, how to identify and reduce them. It defines human error as an inappropriate decision or behavior that reduces system effectiveness, safety or performance. It notes that errors can be due to individual factors as well as external factors like equipment design or procedures. There are three types of errors - skill-based from routine tasks, rule-based from familiar situations, and knowledge-based from unique situations. The document recommends reducing errors through better recruitment, training, design of equipment/procedures, and feedback systems to continuously improve performance.

1. Human Errors
How to Identify and reduce them

3. Human Factors & Errors
 Key objectives of HF is to design systems
that
◦ people can use
◦ increase efficiency and performance
◦ minimize the risks of errors
 Will define and consider the nature of error
 Consider the implications for systems
design

4. Definition of Human Error
 …is an inappropriate or undesirable human
decision or behavior that reduces or has the
potential for reducing the
◦ effectiveness
◦ safety
◦ system performance

5. Human error
 1st blame only the individual
 2nd identify other factors. E.g.:-
◦ badly designed or faulty equipment
◦ poor management practices
◦ inaccurate or incomplete procedures
◦ inadequate or inappropriate training

6. Error Classification
 Skill based
◦ controlled by sub-conscious behavior and stored
patterns of behavior
◦ errors usually errors of execution
 Rule based
◦ applies to familiar situations - stored rules are applied
◦ errors involve recognizing the salient features of the
situation
 Knowledge based - occur in unique & unfamiliar situations
◦ errors result from inadequate analysis or decision
making

7. Conclusions of Human Errors
 Factors are broad & encompass most
factors found in other models
 Their model includes and emphasizes
◦ management social and psychological
factors
 Human factors variables are recognized in
the categories
◦ physical environment
◦ equipment design
◦ work itself (refer to model diagram in
exercise book)

8. How to Reduce Human
Errors?
 Human error is inevitable
 Consequences and likelihood can be
reduced by:-
◦ better recruitment & selection
◦ training
◦ better design of equipment procedures &
work environment

9. Reducing Accidents
 Apply HF principles to the processes
 Provide procedural checklists
 Provide training
 Provide appropriate & meaningful
feedback
 Establish effective employees
feedback system
 Eliminate/reduce risk through design

10. New Employees Hiring &
Training
 Ensure the hiring policy is attracting
the employees with relevant
experience and skills to perform the
tasks
◦ Provide the new hire with training and
resources to enable employees to
perform the required tasks effectively and
efficiently
◦ Qualify the newly hired employees
training to ensure that employees can
assume and execute their new job

11. Improve the Performance
 Provide effective On the Job Training
 Establish robust Standard Operating
Procedures to eliminate or reduce the
following errors
◦ Errors of omission - forget to do something
◦ Errors of commission - doing the task
incorrectly
◦ Sequence errors - out of order
◦ Timing errors - too slow - too fast - too late

12. How to Establish a Robust
SOP
 Review that the current processes to ensure
◦ Adequate Procedures are available for all Major
and minor manufacturing and testing processes
◦ Procedure has clearly stated the process
requirements and the personnel responsibilities
to complete the tasks
◦ Clear instruction on how to complete the required
process tasks
 Accurately
 Sequentially
 Timely
◦ If the timing is critical, establish a realistic
timeline requirements and provide adequate
resources to execute the tasks on time

13. Monitor the Performance
 Classify the source of occurrence as
follows:
◦ Required action is NOT performed or is
performed incorrectly.
◦ Undesired action is exercised.
◦ Information essential for performing the
action is misinterpreted.
◦ Mistake occurs due to complexity.

14. Fix the Problem
 Evaluate the errors according to the
following criteria
◦ Frequency
◦ Safety
◦ Criticality and consequences
 Select the most effective solution(s)
 Implement the Corrective Actions to
reduce the error sources
 Monitor the effectiveness of the solutions