Human Factors Research Project

Dr. Robert Helmreich directs the Human Factors Research Project at the University of Texas at Austin. With twenty years experience conducting human factors research, he believes that aviation s approach to harm reduction can be cautiously adapted to health care (Helmreich, 2001). 

Human Factors Research Project University of Texas at Austin... 

The University of Texas Human Factors Research Project... 

In a report on a research project quantification of extrapolation factors (Kalberlah and Schneider 1998), it is noted that extrapolation factors are intended to replace lack of knowledge by a plausible assumption, and that instimtions with responsibihty for establishing the mles must decide which level of statistical certainty, e.g., applicable for 50% or for 90% of a representative selection of substances, is desired for the selection of a standard value. It is furthermore noted that extrapolation factors are required for (1) time extrapolation, e.g., from a subchronic to a chronic duration of exposure (2) extrapolation from the LOAEL to the NAEL (3) interspecies extrapolation, i.e., from experimental animals to humans and (4) intraspecies extrapolation, i.e., from groups of persons with average sensitivity to groups of persons characterized by special sensitivity. In addition to these extrapolations, route-to-route extrapolation, e.g., oral-to-inhalation or dermal-to-oral must also be discussed. 

Several projects and consortia were established in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, e.g., the Micro Array Quality Control (MAQC) project, led by US FDA, which main goal is to assess microarray study variability and to develop standards and quality measures for transcriptomics data [50, 51], Another research project, the human embryonic stem cell-derived novel alternative test systems (ESNATS) recently published a paper to address similar questions using human embryonic stem cell-based in vitro test systems for reproductive toxicity by transcriptomics analysis [52], The strong aspect of this study, that it transparently presents difficulties, such as batch effects, and provides analysis strategies including overrepresented transcription factors. It can be used as basis for further development of reproductive toxicity assays based on transcriptomics analysis. 

Asimov s television series on robots highlighted humanity s fears of robot domination as well as the moral and social implications if machines could do mankind s work. Writers of best-selling novels like Space Oddesy 2001 created fictional siiuster computers. These factors contributed to large-scale critique of AI and neural networks, and thus funding for research projects came to a near halt. 

VIRTHUALIS is a European Research Project on Industrial Safety, which aims at producing an innovative technology that integrates Virtual Reality and Human Factors methods, to improve safety in production plants and storage sites. 

Steven T. Shorrock is Project Leader, Safety Development at EUROCONTROL and Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales, School of Aviation. Steve has a background in human factors, safety culture and system safety practice. His research encompasses aviation, rail, chemical and energy issues and has been undertaken in higher education and at Federal Government level. He is a Registered Eigonomist and Chartered Psychologist. 

This study indicated that for every 10 near misses, there will be an accident. While the accuracy of this study may be debated and other studies have produced different ratios, it is clear that if near misses are continually ignored, an accident will result. Further, the HSE Accident Prevention Unit has suggested that 90% of all accidents are due to human error and 70% of all accidents could have been avoided by earlier (proactive) action by management. It is clear from many research projects that the major factors in most accidents are human factors. 

Helimeich, R.L., Ktinect, J.R., Wilhelm, J.A. and Jones, S.G. (1999), The Line LOS Checklist, Version 6.0 A checkhst for human factors skills assessment, a log for external threats, and a worksheet for flightcrew error management , The University of Texas Team Research Project Technical Report 99-01. 

The Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) is one of the world s leading injury prevention research centres. It was established in 1987, has neatly 100 research staff and undertakes applied, multidisciplinaiy, research for industiy and governments. The Centre is known, locally and internationally, for its research into the impact of ADAS technologies on driver performance, behaviour and safety. Some key projects that underpin the MUARC research program, and which address a number of the human factors issues discussed above, are described below. 

NASA-Cognition Lab http //human-factors.arc.nasagov/ihi/cognition/ (accessed October 27, 2010). This laboratory is a part of the Human Systans Integration Division at the NASA Ames Research Center. The activities of the lab, their research projects, and contacting information are found on this site. 

This research has been carried out within the European Union Project INNovation through Human Factors in risk analysis and management... 

Finality of this paper is to present preliminary results of a research project aiming to understands risks analysis during change issues and to develop a methodological framework to support assessment in helping to take in consideration human and organizational factors. 

This research was financed under EU FP7 Marie Curie Actions Initial Training Networks as part of the Innovation in Risk Assessment through Human Factors project (InnHF www.innhfeu)— FP7-PEOPLE-2011-ITN Project ID 289837. 

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