The Human Component

Amphiphilicity Holographic lesi n Nnn-iinear dynamics Selforianizational forces Seir/non-seir recognition and discrimination Structure-motion linguistics 

An instability-induced grand transition from quantum vacuum to material existence might have created our universe. Energy and entropy gradients mediated duality developments and transitions between fermions and bosons, particles and waves, structure and phase into the process-information dualities of life patterns. At the interface to the universe, life patterns developed a preliminary finite duality between existent matter and self-consciousness fields. By this grand transition a facility of awareness beyond space and time originated that transformed its theses/antitheses tensions into creativity. 

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Task Analysis— An analytical process for determining the specific behaviors required of the human components in a man-machine system. It involves determining the detailed performance required of people and equipment and the effects of environmental conditions, malfunctions, and other unexpected events on both. Within each task to be performed by people, behavioral steps are analyzed in terms of (i) the sensory signals and related perceptions, (ii) the decisions, memory storage, and other mental processes, and (iii) the required responses. 

As technology progresses the safety of man-machine systems depends more and more on the quality of the human component (operator). This fact is very obvious in transportation, where the operator (driver) is formally and actually in control of his or her vehicle. In aviation, however, a strong trend towards software control of the aeroplane is already becoming dominant, forcing the operator (pilot) primarily into the role of supervisor or monitor of the automatic control system and into that of trouble-shooter in case of (technical) failure. In this respect a cockpit crew is facing the same situation as for instance a shift of operators in the central control room of a completely computerised chemical process plant. 

The environment that such an industry must face includes not only oil and gas and the various products that can intervene in the processes, including oxygen, but also the atmosphere, the water, the land, and the human component. 

The HCD approach is incorporated in ISO 11064 through that the human component, the machine (hardware and software), the work environment, and the control (operation and management) shall be harmoniously integrated during all phases of the design... 

A technique for predicting the potential for human error in an activity. It evalnates quantitatively the contribution of the human error component in the development of an untoward system. Special emphasis is placed on the human component in prodnct degradation. THERP involves the concept of basic error rate that is relatively consistent between tasks requiring similar human performance elements in different situations. Basic error rates are assessed in terms of contributions to specific system faUutes. 

Accountability versus blame. Health care professionals are accountable for their work. They have a responsibility to possess current knowledge and competence in the work they perform they also have a responsibility to acknowledge the interdependence they have in their performance. In addition, they must appreciate how systems work and understand that people are the human components of systems, both contributing to failure and creating safety. Blame focuses on a scapegoat rather than on the pursuit of deeper understanding about failure. The traditional blame, shame, and punish methods have not worked to improve safety. Blameless versus punitive or retaliatory. A blameless environment is one where the front line is comfortable reporting failures and near misses so they can be studied in this kind of environment, the front line even feels compelled to report failures. A punitive or retaliatory environment creates an atmosphere where sharp end staff members are afraid to disclose failures and near misses, and in this way opportunities to learn from mistakes are eliminated. 

Individuals responsible for analyzing adverse events should recognize the human component... 

Beyond this, ergonomics deals with further topics. A suitable representation of all functions of the MME-system between the technical components and the human components must be achieved. This is important, for example, for the determination of the degree of automation. In addition, the relationship between safety at the workplace and the safety of the plant must be emphasized. In many areas of modern technology, the incorporation of systems ergonomics has become imperative. The landing of a manned spacecraft on the moon without a major contribution of systems ergonomics to the Apollo program would have been impossible. 

It is a reasonable fact that people are not perfect. However, some person-machine systems are designed on the premise that the human component will be error-free. It is most important that these systems are identified and modified to obtain a reahstic reliabihty and monitored or modified to recognize and take accoimt of the performance limitations of individuals. It is most important that we consider these three factors, person-machine-enviromnent, as an integrated work process bound together by the procedures we adopt to actually perform tasks, and which, in some cases, requites attention to the materials used, e.g. flammable solvents. Figure 1.5 sums up the work system using sUghtty broader terms such as equipment and work methods. 

Further to this, there is increasing effort to better imderstand the risks that rail organizations face and the risk management controls that are, and / or, need to be, put in place to manage these risks. In marty operations the human component is still a key defence against incidents and accidents occurring. We carmot eliminate the human from the system. Therefore, we need to be confident that our frontline personnel are equipped with the skills, knowledge and attributes required to be able to perform the required tasks safely. More specifically, we need to train our personnel such that we reduce the likelihood and consequences of human error to As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP). 

As engineered systems become more complex and, in particular, the human component becomes prevalent, it is reasonable to expect this latter type of instability to become more prevalent. 

The accident at the factory in Seveso in Italy in 1976 when a chemical reactor overheated and caused a release of dioxin led to rapid acceleration in the need to create a science that would address both reliability and safety (Reliability engineering and system safety [5, 6]). Following the nuclear accident at Three-Mile Island in 1979 the conununity was finally convinced that this approach should be a priority and particular emphasis was placed on the human component of reliability, without altering the general principles of the approach. 

Recognize and factor in the human component of manufacturing from assembly-line worker through top management, especially with regard to quality-consciousness and team organization... 

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