Tim Horberry

Human Factors in the Maritime Domain

INTRODUCTION TO MARITIME HUMAN FACTORS History and Development of Maritime Human Factors The Complexity of Commercial Shipping Human Factors Accidents and Human Error The Socio-Technical System Model Conclusion INDIVIDUAL FACTORS: PSYCHOLOGICAL CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS Introduction Human Senses Perception Cognition Behaviour Conclusion Individual and Task Interaction Factors Introduction Work, Rest and Work Rest Cycles Mental Workload Physical Workload Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Anthropometrics and Anatomy General Principles of Workstation Design on Ships Stress Illness, Concerns, Anxiety and Pressures Alcohol Conclusion INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP INTERACTION FACTORS Introduction Communication Social Role and Power The Four Dimensions of Verbal Communication Transaction Analysis Teamwork Conclusion INDIVIDUAL AND PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION FACTORS Introduction Noise Vibration Lighting Climatic Conditions Accomodation and Social Factors Ship Motions Physical Environment Standards Conclusion INDIVIDUAL AND TECHNOLOGY INTERACTION FACTORS Introduction The Importance of Human-Machine Interaction in Maritime Safety Types of HMI Problems on Ships Specific Issues in the Design and Integration of Maritime Equipment Crew Responses to Technology Possible Solutions for the Maritime Domain and Further Wprk in this Area Conclusion INDIVIDUAL AND ORGANISATIONAL ENVIRONMENT, SOCIETY AND CULTURE INTERACTION FACTORS Introduction From Individual to Organisational Failure Culture in the Maritime Work Environment Practise Maintenance Failures Conclusion SOME METHODS USED FOR THE COLLECTION OF MARITIME HUMAN FACTORS DATA Introduction Why Collect Human Factors Data? An Introduction to Maritime Human Factors Methods Application of Data Acquisition and Analysis Techniques to Key Human Factors Issues Cost-Benefit Analysis and Human Factors Conclusions THE FUTURE: TRENDS IN MARITIME HUMAN FACTORS Future Trends in Maritime Human Factors REFERENCES GLOSSARY

Human Error in Maritime Operations: Analyses of Accident Reports Using the Leximancer Tool

This paper focuses on the problem of lack of Situation Awareness (SA) by mariners. An analysis of a large number of accident reports was conducted in order to determine the extent to which SA is a relevant issue in merchant shipping operations. For the first time use was made of the Leximancer tool due to its ability to rapidly analyse large amounts of textual information. One major function of this research was to examine the accuracy and usefulness of such a data analysis tool by comparing the results of this computer analysis with that of a ‘manual’ analysis (performed by two raters). Our results underline the importance of SA in decision-making processes in the maritime domain: a large number of investigated maritime accidents were partly due to loss of SA. Also, the results of the Leximancer tool were found to be comparable to the manual analysis, thus suggesting further use of such a system for accident report analysis in other transportation domains.

The Human Factors of Transport Signs

A Gentle Introduction to Transport Signs and an Overview of the Structure of This Book. Transport Signs Effectiveness. The Main Types of Transport Signs. Different Methods of Signalisation in the Transport Environment. Railway and Subway Signing. Maritime Aviation and Mining Signing. Visual Factors Involved in Recognition of Transport Signs and Illumination. Attentional and Motivational Factors Involved in Recognition of Transport Signs. Driver Fatigue and Transport Signs. Siting and Mounting, Sign Clutter, Maintenance and Restoration of Road Signs. Making Up Signs: Materials For Sign Construction. Transport Sign Legislation. Product Liability and Standardisation. Education and Transport Signs. Design and Aesthetic Issues With Respect to Transport Signs. Overall Conclusions.

Human factors for the design, operation, and maintenance of mining equipment

Through coverage of topics such as equipment design, operations and maintenance, manual tasks, workstation design, physical environment, this book explores what human factors are all about and their critical importance to safety, health, and efficiency in the minerals industry.

Human Factor Issues with Automated Mining Equipment

This paper presents an extended literature review of the human factors impacts of current and future automation in the minerals industry. It begins by defining what is automation and stating why it is being developed and deployed. It then outlines why it is important to consider operators and maintainers when designing and deploying mining automation. To put mining automation into context, lessons learnt from automation in other industries and past problems with automation from a human-element perspective is then presented before specific issues in mining automation are discussed; these include ‘degrees of automation’, automation trends and the deployment issues. Conclusions about the human-element impacts of mining automation are made; these include the likely problems and some potential ways of reducing such problems.

Speed choice by drivers: The issue of driving too slowly

Quite correctly, the majority of road safety speeding initiatives focus on drivers travelling at excessive speeds. This study, however, focused on the potential problem of driving too slowly. Six thousand, four hundred and eighty vehicles from around the Perth metropolitan area in Western Australia had their speeds recorded; observations were also made of these vehicles to identify characteristics of the driver and vehicle. In addition, a community survey with 240 members of the public was conducted to examine their attitudes towards slow drivers. As expected, results showed that older drivers drove more slowly than the other age brackets, women drove more slowly than men, and that heavily laden vehicles drove more slowly than other types of vehicles. Additionally, the slowest days were weekdays and the quickest were Saturdays. Community attitudes, generally mirrored the observational findings, and indicated that the public believed that slow driving was sometimes a safety problem causing some accidents. These data are discussed, and some possible countermeasures are briefly introduced to address the problem.

Understanding human error in mine safety

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system of transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher. Geoff Simpson, Tim Horberry and Jim Joy have asserted their rights under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the authors of this work.

The contributions of human factors and ergonomics to a sustainable minerals industry

This article describes examples of the application of human factors research and development work to a sustainable minerals industry. It begins by outlining human-related aspects of the minerals industry and the key human factors work previously undertaken in this domain. The focus then switches to sustainability in the minerals industry. Sustainability principles are introduced and illustrations provided of how human factors research and development work fits within such a framework. Three case studies of human factors in the minerals industry research are presented and the sustainability implications in each case study are highlighted. Finally, future trends related to human factors work in a sustainable minerals industry are addressed, in particular the opportunities and possible adverse consequences that increasing deployment of mining automation might bring. Practitioner Summary: Minerals industries are a major global activity with significant sustainability implications. Aspects of sustainability in mining are examined using three case studies. These illustrate the contribution of human factors/ergonomics in reducing risks; developing emergency response management systems; and the value of participatory ergonomics in improving the design of mining equipment.

Defining criteria for the functional assessment of driving.

Given the growing number of older drivers, accurate functional assessment of fitness to drive is becoming increasingly important. This paper describes work to define appropriate thresholds for cognitive, perceptual and physical tests on a static assessment rig (SAR). These rigs are used at Mobility Centres across the UK to provide measurements of driving characteristics as part of an assessment. However, criteria for decisions on functional fitness to drive have not been clearly defined or validated for SARs. A first study obtained normative data from the non-disabled driving population for each of the SAR tests. In the second study, disabled drivers were tested on the SAR; approximately half of these drivers used some type of steering, braking or accelerator adaptation. Following these two studies, criteria for the SAR tests were formalised and then validated by means of an experimental trial. Recommendations are made regarding the use of the SAR as part of the overall assessment process and for future research.

Better integration of human factors considerations within safety in design

‘Safety in design’ is becoming an increasingly used approach in a variety of domains. Also known as ‘safe design’ or ‘prevention through design’, the general process seeks to eliminate health and safety hazards, or minimise potential risks, by systematically involving end-users and decision makers in the full life cycle of the designed product or system. This article focuses on the need to better integrate human factors considerations within safe design for high-hazard industries. In particular, it describes the benefits of applying a task-based approach to assist design processes. By way of presenting a safe design method for equipment used in mining, it shows the need to obtain end-user input both to better reveal design deficiencies and to identify effective solutions for future equipment. Overall, a multidisciplinary framework is advocated, in particular by blending human factors techniques and structured risk management methods with the existing equipment design processes.