Human Factors Engineering

Human Factors Engineering (HFE) is the integration of human characteristics (physical, cognitive and behavioral) and limitations into system definition, design, development, and evaluation to achieve optimal, safe and efficient human/machine performance under operational conditions. HFE is one component of Human Systems Integration (HSI).

HSI is the technical process of integrating HFE, training, system safety, Health Hazard Assessment (HHA), and manpower and personnel, with the acquisition or development of a materiel system to ensure safe, effective operability and supportability. HSI is orchestrated by an HSI Program Plan. This Plan describes the activities to be performed in conjunction with system engineering to provide timely input to influence the system design and identifies how and where the sub-domains of HSI will be applied, and where analysis, tools and techniques will be shared across the domains.

SAE ARP4754 contains the following useful insight:

Some failure conditions can be mitigated through human interaction. Recognizing that incorrect human interactions could exacerbate, rather than mitigate, the situation, it is essential to examine the type and independence of the support provided to ensure the correctness of such interaction. Support should be provided for both human recognition of the system or item failure condition and human action to mitigate he failure effects. Where such support substantiates the potential for appropriate human action, the system or item may be assigned a lower risk. The substantiation should consider, at least:

• The failure recognition provided
• The type and timeliness of required failure response
• The priority relative to other crew tasks
• The total crew workload
• The probability of occurrence of the failure
• The independence of the human recognition and action support provided

In terms of safety pertaining to operating and support personnel, we are concerned with two things:

• hazards to which these people are exposed, and
• hazards that they can cause.

What continues to be wrong with HFE? Poor integration with system safety.

A specific form of hazard analysis, Operating and Support Hazard Analysis (O&SHA), is intended to address the above two hazards. Because of the tie-in with personnel, this is an analysis with ties to HFE.

Health hazards (e.g., noise, vibration, chemical) are addressed by a HHA. HHA is a second safety analysis with human factors implications.

HHA and O&SHA are good examples (not the only ones) of how system safety and HFE must work together in unison under the umbrella of HSI.

HCRQ provides its clients full coverage in these areas.

For more information contact Desert Fields.