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Human Factors

Introduction | Publications | Multimedia | Events | Research | Organizations

Introduction

Human Factors is a science that focuses on how humans interact with the environment in their workplace. It examines the workplace factors that influence the decisions and actions of workers.

No one goes to work intending to be injured. The decisions and actions that workers take make sense to them at the time given their goals, knowledge and focus of attention.

The human factors approach to an investigation asks why a worker's decision or action made sense to that worker at the time.

More information (PDF 116 KB) on Human Factors at WorkSafeBC.

Interaction of human factors shows the interaction between people, workplaces and management systems.
Download bulletin Human error? Consider human factors (PDF 397KB)

Publications

Human Factors Bulletins human factors icon

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

Multimedia

Garbage Truck Accident Investigation
thumbnail Garbage truck strikes overpass, driver crushed
In this slide show, the accident investigation found that human factors played an important role. (5 min 6 s)
Integrating Human Factors Engineering into Medical Devices
A video teleconference from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on integrating Human Factors Engineering into Medical Device Design and Development. Watch video (1 hr 51 min)

Events

Human Factors Community of Practice

The WorkSafeBC human factor specialists are proposing regular community of practice meetings for human factor practitioners as well as other professionals who are interested in the science of human factors. The goal is to create a forum for individuals to collectively learn, and to share their knowledge and experiences to enhance the application and success of human factors.

Background information (PDF 151KB)

Upcoming Event!

Human Factors Perspectives on Safety
November 30, 2009 in Vancouver, BC

This conference, presented by WorkSafeBC and the Association of Canadian Ergonomists, will cover broad principles of human factors and system safety to highlight the transferability and applicability to many occupational domains. Safety practitioners, ergonomists, human factor specialists, industry representatives, and health and safety committee members are encouraged to attend.

Find out more about the conference.

Human Factors Research

Fatigue Survey of BC Truck Drivers (Summary) (PDF 87 KB)
"Between July and August of 2005 a survey was conducted by WorkSafeBC to measure the impact of fatigue on BC truck drivers. Surveys were distributed and collected at truck stops throughout the province by WorkSafeBC officers. In total, 336 surveys were collected from truck drivers working in many different industries."
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC

Ergonomic & Safety Research Institute (ESRI), Loughborough University, UK
ESRI's research activities are focussed on vehicle and road safety, applied ergonomics and applied vision.

Organizations

Association of Canadian Ergonomists (ACE)
http://www.ace-ergocanada.ca/
The Association of Canadian Ergonomists/l'Association canadienne d'ergonomie (ACE) is an association of persons who have human factors/ergonomics interests. Membership is open to those who will benefit from the judicious application of human factors and ergonomic knowledge, either as individuals or as representatives of organizations.

Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
http://www.hfes.org/web/Default.aspx
The Society's mission is to promote the discovery and exchange of knowledge concerning the characteristics of human beings that are applicable to the design of systems and devices of all kinds.

International Ergonomics Association
http://www.iea.cc/index.php
The International Ergonomics Association is the federation of ergonomics and human factors societies from around the world.

The Ergonomics Society
http://www.ergonomics.org.uk/
An international organisation for professionals using knowledge of human abilities and limitations to design and build for comfort, efficiency, productivity and safety.

European Association of Cognitive Ergonomics (EACE)
http://www.saul.unisi.it/eace/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
The goal of the European Association of Cognitive Ergonomics (EACE) is to bring together European researchers working in the domain of cognitive ergonomics, with the aim of developing and enhancing the relationship between cognitive sciences and technical information processing system developments.

Cognitive Systems Engineering Laboratory
http://csel.eng.ohio-state.edu/
A laboratory at Ohio State University that specializes in designing systems to support human performance in complex settings.



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