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Human Factors

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Publications

Human Factors Bulletins human factors icon

poster thumbnail Safety controls: levels of effectiveness
HF 2012-01
This bulletin illustrates the Hierarchy of Controls, and provides guidance as to the best remedy for control once the underlying or causal factors of an incident have been identified.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC


 

poster thumbnail Safety awareness: control motions can have unexpected results
HF 2011-04
This bulletin examines the interaction between workers and controls and what can happen if the workers expectations are not consistent with how the control operates.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC


 

poster thumbnail Distracted attention---mobile phone use and walking HF 2011-03
This bulletin looks at how using a mobile phone can affect a pedestrian's attention, body position, visual field and safety.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC


 

poster thumbnail Effectiveness of signage HF 2011-02
This bulletin highlights several incidents in which signage was ineffective and discusses some of the limitations of using signage as a safety control measure.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC


 

poster thumbnail Human visual limitations and overhead power lines HF 2011-01
This bulletin highlights the visual limitations humans are susceptible to, and how these limitations may affect their ability to correctly predict proximity to hazards such as overhead power lines.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC


 

poster thumbnail Safety approaches---person or system centered? HF 2010-02
In an incident a traffic control person (TCP) was struck by a vehicle, sustaining fatal head injuries. This bulletin discusses what could be done to improve their safety.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC


 

poster thumbnail Written procedures and actual practice HF 2009-04
This bulletin examines an incident wherein a worker was operating a machine without fully understanding how it worked. A kickback resulted in a fatal blow to the worker's chest.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC


 

poster thumbnail Work schedules and fatigue HF 2009-03
This bulletin examines an incident wherein a young worker's schedule didn't allow enough time for both commuting and sufficient sleep. Included are links to resources which provide information on fatigue and how to prevent it in the workplace.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC


 

poster thumbnail Elevated loads and feedback systems  HF 2009-02
This bulletin looks at two incidents involving trucks with elevating components or parts. These trucks did not have a feedback system to let the drivers know that the components on their trucks were elevated during travel.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC


 

poster thumbnail Assessing risk? Consider human limitations HF 2009-01
This bulletin looks at how a risk assessment of a work task needs to consider the limitations of the individuals doing the task.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC


 

poster thumbnail Don't forget to remember to lockout HF 2008-03
This bulletin looks at one critical safety process that relies on human memory---lockout. Without physical measures to block entry into a machine or to alert the operator to its status, the burden rests with the worker to remember to lock out the machine.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC


 

poster thumbnail Human error? Consider human factors HF 2008-02
This bulletin looks at how the interaction between people, workplaces and management systems--human factors, may contribute to an accident.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC


 

poster thumbnail Different Controls on Similar Machines HF 2008-01
This bulletin looks at the lack of consistency among the controls on different machines.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC


 

Hazard Alert Posters
poster thumbnail Young worker almost loses foot while sawing cedar blocks
This bulletin describes how a young worker almost lost a foot while sawing cedar shakes with a head saw.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC

 

poster thumbnail Parking brakes with European valve can release if not locked in
This bulletin describes how a garbage truck driver was crushed between a refuse bin and the garbage truck.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC


 

Human Factors Briefing Notes

A series of briefing notes are available covering some of the key topics in human factors

Source: Health and Safety Executive (HSE UK)

 

Inspectors Human Factors Toolkit
A set of working notes aimed at introducing human factors into site inspections and investigations at major hazard sites. Covers topics such as safety-critical communications, management of fatigue risks, and organizational change. Download the complete toolkit (85 pages) or selected parts.
Source: Health and Safety Executive, UK

Ergonomics in Design
This periodical publication is intended to serve the needs of practicing human factors engineers and ergonomists who are concerned with the usability of products, systems, and environments.
Source: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society

Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing
The Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing journal covers a broad spectrum of ergonomics and human factors issues with a focus on the design, operation and management of contemporary manufacturing systems.
Source: Wiley InterScience

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics
This journal publishes original contributions that add to our understanding of the role of humans in today's systems and the interactions thereof with various system components.
Source: Elsevier, The Netherlands

Visually Exploring Masses of Data
"Visual analytics (VA) was initially proposed to help US intelligence analysts deal with the masses of security-related information made available to them following the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001."
Source: David Darvill, PhD



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