Human Factors errors

Human errors cause casual factors in accidents. One way to avoid and remedy human factor errors is be educated on the existence of them and try to avoid them. Here are several parts of human factors that are educated to students.

One way to understand Human Factor is to have knowledge of the Human Factor Model which gives a visual illustration of the interaction machine and humans. The model contains the 6 parts. This model can be applied to a cell phone. For example, Machine Display Component displays status information. Human Sensory Component vision would be seeing the displayed date. Human Cognitive Component is the user remembers how to use the phone. Human Muscular skeletal Component is the user holds/ manipulates phone. Machine Input Device Component the user receives data input via key presses or voice. In Machine CPU Component, the user process data. The Human Factors Model also touched on the subject of Human Variance measurement. This model also focuses on anthropometrics, Bio-mechanics, and performance. Overall the model is important to aviation safety because it shows the humans react with machines. This model can be applied to cockpit avionics as well.

In Usability Evaluation Factors, students are introduced to usability which depend how efficiently users cans access functionality of a system. In addition, user and human center design processes are focused on reviewed which talks about emphases support for the system operator and maintainer throughout the development, design, and test. In aviation, systems are designed for simplicity, efficiency of uses, and ease of availability

The Visual Displays factors seeks to explain the design of visual information displays (mainly human eye). This is important because vision if heavily relied on during flying and it give us the capacity for information to be received and processed. This is why the major of information is designed for the visual system. In aviation, systems and tools are designed for visual ease of use. Design a gear handle to look like a wheel is one approach.

Like Visual Display, Non-visual displays are reviewed because besides vision, hearing, touch, motion, smell, and taste are also used for information displays. Examples in auditory displays and use, auditory channel advantages and disadvantages, auditory system anatomy, sound science, sound physics, psycho-acoustics, basic principal of alarms, tactile and haptic displays, olfactory displays, environmental awareness, olfactory displays, and redundant coding are used in aircraft design. In aviation, a aircraft systems are equipped with sound alarms for easy of use in the cockpit.

In the Controls factors, the basic principles of control design are discussed. Controls are how the human communicate with the machine. The design of controls are important because they need to placed carefully so that they are effective, efficient, and safe with no room for error. The applications of control are reviewed which are manual activation, automated assist, voice activated, sensor activated, and manual computer control. The principles of reach, strength, body size, and coordination are addressed to how they make capability for the user. Visible placement, control coding, shape, feedback, compatibility, are transfer effect are all factors that principle that can change controls usefulness. Lastly, Control automation are used to increase productivity and precision. In aircraft, the use of autopilots have reduced pilot work load and have allowed other attention to tasks.

The Environment Factors are hold the theory that low environmental factors lead to optimum work place, increased performance, good health, and well being. The module discusses the factors of lighting, noise, and climate. Lighting factors can range from frequency of computer use, computer vision syndrome, glare, VDT recommendations. Also, Noise is bad because it can lead to hearing loss which should have limits of exposure and loss prevention. Lastly, Climate is discussed in the form of work environment. High Heat, high humidity, and extreme cold should be avoided and have poor health contributions as well as poor work performance. In aircraft, extensive designs have been implemented to give optimum environment conditional in the cockpit.

The cognition factor are defined as the basics of cognitive science that apply to Human Factors design. Cognition deals with acquisition of knowledge and processes by which sensory information is received, stored, retrieved, and used. The module addresses the factors of role attention, perception, memory, decision-making, and cognitive workload measurement. There are components to memory which are encoding, maintenance, and retrieval. In aviation, one way to avoid this factor is the use of checklist that help keep tasks in place. Also, pilots follow personal checklist called IM SAFE which stand for Illness, medication, stress, alcohol, fatigue, and emotion. If the pilot is suffering from any of these factors then it is recommended that the flight be canceled

The Training Factor seek to assess the principle of training systems. It give an understanding of the relationship of human centered training systems. Also, computer use in training, simulation, and virtual reality were discussed and their use. In aviation, pilots and controllers used virtual computer simulations to reenact emergency to increase knowledge and reaction times

Lastly, Team performance module discusses what makes teams effective and what make teams effective in safety-critical environments such as aviation. In aviation, this is where Cockpit and Crew resource management is discussed how it reduces incident and accidents and is critical to safety.