Human Factors in Accident Investigation (HFAI)
Duration: 4.5 days
CEUs: 3.6
Tuition: $2,875 USD
Human Factors is defined as the scientific study of the interaction between humans, machines, and each other-essentially everything . Determining accident causation involving WHAT happened can be relatively easy given the right training. Determining WHY an accident occurred requires an advanced level of training and skills. Most investigations leave much to be desired in this regard.
Human error is implicated in most, if not all, aviation accidents. Accident investigators, therefore, need information, tools, and procedures to discover the role human error has played in an accident/incident being investigated. This course teaches the required material for investigators (a) to identify the human error issues involved in an accident wherever they occurred (e.g., in the cockpit, ATC, management, maintenance, etc.), and (b) to know when and how to call on the required Human Factors experts for further analysis.
The course starts with a brief review of the role of human error in aviation accidents using the SHELL, Reason and Helmreich models from an investigator perspective as organizing frameworks. A taxonomy of unsafe acts (organization, supervisor, and operator) is presented. The course then focuses on what the investigator needs to know about the individual human and the various factors which tend to make humans make mistakes including the ability to process information, deal with a physiologically challenging environment, and perform within a potentially sub-optimal workplace. Training and negative transfer, as well as procedures, will also be presented as additional factors leading to human error.
Although human error has been implicated in 70 to 80% of all civil and military aviation accidents, most accident reporting systems are not designed around any theoretical framework of human error. As a result, most accident databases are not conducive to a traditional human error analysis, making the identification of intervention strategies onerous. What is required is a general human error framework around which new investigative methods can be designed and existing accident databases restructured. Indeed, a comprehensive human factors analysis and classification system (HFACS) has been developed to meet those needs. Specifically, the HFACS framework has been used within the military, commercial, and general aviation sectors to systematically examine underlying human causal factors and to improve safety through proactive and predictive statistical analysis.
HFACS instruction is initially provided then progresses into practical HFACS 7.0 analysis and application via interactive case studies. Attendees are divided into groups, provided with case studies and are expected to conduct an HFACS 7.0 analysis. Results are presented in class and groups are provided feedback on their efforts. Nano-code capture, database architecture & quality control (standardization) and statistical analysis are applied via the HFACS 7.0 taxonomy.
Building on the material presented, the course will then provide an integrated discussion summarizing from an investigator's perspective current understanding about causes of human errors and what mechanisms should be in use for their reduction. The course concludes by providing the accident investigator with a systematic framework and process to identify human error issues involved in an accident as well as the factors which may have led to those errors.
T he Human Factors in Accident Investigation course is a “deep-dive” into the almost- infinite aspects of how and why human error occurs. The course provides attendees with the tools and knowledge to transform this seemingly nebulous subject into a scientific and valid process, producing a complete and comprehensive investigation that examines ALL aspects.
HFAI culminates with several case studies that will challenge you to identify, analyze and validate all aspects from active failures in the cockpit to organizational (latent) failures at the highest levels.
Who Should Attend
How You Will Benefit
Course Topics:
Human performance
Display design principles
The Psychology of Witness Interviewing
Cognitive interviewing
Predictive investigation
Stress (self-imposed)
Night Vision Devices
Data mining and statistical analysis
Aeromedical/flight physiology
Culture
Schema
Vigilance
HFACS/HFACS 7.0
Crashworthiness and crew survivability
Automation
Valid and reliable scientific tests
HFACS (7.0)
Stress (external)
Military & Civilian aspects
Task saturation
Shape coding
Human error
Noise
Violations
Stress and Fatigue
Training and negative transfer
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Stress (external)
Sleep/shift work
Spatial disorientation/visual illusions
Detection and response
System design and displays
Aviation psychology
Organizational issues
Vibration
Latent & active errors
Course Administration
The Human Factors in Accident Investigation Course consists of 4.5 training days (36 classroom hours). Students receive a textbook, class notes lecture outlines, additional reference material and a Certificate of Completion. The classes start each morning at 0800 and end at noon on the last day.
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