AvSafety PDF - Human Factors in Aviation Maintenance

AVT 2115 Human factors science or technologies are multidisciplinary fields incorporating contributions from psychology, engineering, industrial design, statistics, operations research, and anthropometry. - a term that covers the science of understanding the properties of human capability,...

AVT 2115 Human factors science or technologies are multidisciplinary fields incorporating contributions from psychology, engineering, industrial design, statistics, operations research, and anthropometry. - a term that covers the science of understanding the properties of human capability, the application of this understanding to the design, development, and deployment of systems and services Elements of Human Factors: 1. Error Management 2. Ergonomics 3. Trainings Maintenance Human Factors Training can encompass awareness training, Maintenance Resource Management (MRM) skills training, and specific human factors training focusing on areas that need improvement. Maintenance Error Management allows an organization to determine why maintenance errors occur and to develop interventions to prevent future errors. Ergonomics for a complete maintenance human factors program, ergonomic principles should be utilized and incorporated into the maintenance work environment. Human Factors Disciplines: 1. Clinical Psychology- includes the study and application of psychology for the purpose of understanding, preventing, and relieving psychologically-based distress or dysfunction and to promote subjective well-being and personal development. It focuses on the mental well-being of the individual. Clinical psychology can help individuals deal with stress, coping mechanisms for adverse situations, poor self- image, and accepting criticism from coworkers. 2. Experimental Psychology- the study of a variety of basic behavioral processes, often in a laboratory environment. 3. Anthropometrics/ Anthropometry- is the study of the dimensions and abilities of the human body. This is essential to aviation maintenance due to the environment and spaces that AMTs have to work with. - Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci (1487) - one of the earliest sources presenting guidelines for anthropometry. 4. Computer Science- the technical definition for computer science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems. 5. Cognitive Science- is the interdisciplinary scientific study of minds as information processors. It includes research on how information is processed. 6. Safety Engineering- assures that a life-critical system behaves as needed even when the component fails. - OSHA- Occupational Safety and Health Aministration 7. Medical Science- is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness. 8. Educational Psychology- is the study how people learn and design the methods and materials used to educate people of all ages. Everyone learns differently and at a different pace. 9. Organizational Psychology- are concerned with relations between people and work. Their interests include organizational structure and organizational change. 10. Industrial Engineering- is the organized approach to the study of work. In the early 1900s, industrial engineers Frank and Lillian Gilbreth were trying to reduce human error in medicine. They developed the concept of using call backs when communicating in the operating room. This same verbal protocol is used in aviation today. Pilots are required to read back instructions or clearances given by air traffic control (ATC) to ensure that the pilot receives the correct instructions and gives ATC an opportunity to correct if the information is wrong. Frank and Lillian Gilbreth also are known for their research on fatigue. Also in the early 1900s, Orville and Wilbur Wright were the first to fly a powered aircraft and also pioneered many human factors considerations. While others were trying to Devil Hills, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, to develop the first practical human interactive controls for aircraft pitch, roll, and yaw. On December 17, 1903, they made four controlled powered flights over the dunes at Kitty Hawk with their Wright Flyer. Orville was the first aviator to use a seat belt and also introduced a rudder boost/trim control that gave the pilot greater control authority. PEAR Model: 1. People- who perform the work and address physical, physiological, psychological, and psychosocial factors. 2. Environment- there are at least two environments in aviation maintenance. There is the physical workplace on the ramp, in the hangar, or in the shop. In addition, there is the organizational environment that exists within the company. - The physical environment is obvious. It includes ranges of temperature, humidity, lighting, noise control, cleanliness, and workplace design. - The second, less tangible, environment is the organizational one. The important factors in an organizational environment are typically related to cooperation, communication, shared values, mutual respect, and the culture of the company. 3. Actions- successful human factors programs carefully analyze all the actions people must perform to complete a job efficiently and safely. - Job Task Analysis (JTA) is the standard human factors approach to identify the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to perform each task in a given job. 4. Resources- is anything a technician (or anyone else) needs to get the job done. For example, protective clothing is a resource. A mobile phone can be a resource. Rivets can be resources. Dirty Dozen: 1. Lack of Communication- failure to transmit, receive, or provide enough information to complete a task. is a key human factor that can result in suboptimal, incorrect, or faulty maintenance. 2. Complacency is a human factor in aviation maintenance that typically develops over time. As a technician gains knowledge and experience, a sense of self satisfaction and false confidence may occur. 3. Lack of Knowledge- shortage of the training, information, and/or ability to successfully perform. 4. Distraction- could be anything that takes your mind off the task that is being done. 5. Lack of Teamwork- failure to work together to complete a shared goal. 6. Fatigue- physical or mental exhaustion threatening work performance. 7. Lack of Resources- not having enough people, equipment, documentation, time, parts, etc., to complete a task. 8. Pressure- real or perceived forces demanding high-level job performance. 9. Lack of Assertiveness- failure to speak up or document concerns about instructions, orders, or the actions of others. 10. Stress- physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes physical or mental tension. 11. Lack of Awareness- failure to recognize a situation, understand what it is, and predict the possible results. 12. Norms- expected, yet unwritten, rules of behavior. - Norm sis short for “normal,” or the way things are normally done. They are unwritten rules that are followed or tolerated by most organizations. Maintenance Error Decision Aid (MEDA) is a structured process used to investigate events caused by maintenance technician and/or inspector performance. - “event” investigation process. MEDA Philosophy 1. A maintenance-related event can be caused by an error, by a violation, or by an error/violation combination 2. Maintenance errors are not made on purpose 3. Maintenance errors are caused by a series of contributing factors 4. Violations, while intentional, are also caused by contributing factors 5. Most of these error or violation contributing factors are under the control of management, and, therefore, can be improved so that they do not contribute to future, similar events.