Human Factors & Countermeasures
For years, training has centred on identifying the human factors behind operator errors. But too often, the focus stops there – without offering concrete solutions to prevent or mitigate these issues!
We’ve all heard it: “It’s just human error.” The assumption often being that there’s nothing we can do about it. However, it’s critical to understand that human error isn’t one-size-fits-all; it falls into several categories
Slips, lapses, mistakes, and violations
Skill-based, rule-based, and knowledge-based errors
When a nonconformity or event occurs due to human error, it’s easy to point fingers. But the real question is: “what’s the deeper root cause?” These underlying issues – called ‘human factors’ – are the key to understanding why such errors happen in the first place.
To uncover these human factors, techniques like the 5-Whys can be a good start, but they work even better when combined with ‘models’ that look at human factors from different perspectives. Some well-known frameworks include –
Once you’ve identified the human factors at play, you need effective 'countermeasures' to address them. This requires a multi-faceted approach, including –
Practical psychology (CBT, motivation, feedback systems)
Physical devices (poka-yoke, Jidoka, TPM, augmented reality)
Predictive methods (P-Diagrams, DFMEA, PFCs, PFMEA, etc.)
TEC’s new course, “Human Factors & Countermeasures”, covers all of these approaches, specifically for production and design organizations. The course offers valuable insights into how aerospace and defence organizations can develop, implement, and maintain processes to tackle human factors with effective corrective and preventive countermeasures. Everything is included to develop, document and implement conforming processes to meet in full 9100 series, AS13100 and RM13010 requirements.
FOD Prevention Program in Manufacturing
In the manufacturing environment, a Foreign Object (FO) could be loose swarf, consumables, hardware, tools, parts, building materials, rocks, sand, pieces of luggage, pens, coins, badges, hats, PPE, personal items, food/drink/tobacco products, paper clips, rubbish, paperwork, etc. Foreign Object Debris (FOd) is any FO that has entered and/or migrated into/on the product or system, and could potentially cause FOD, if not removed and controlled. Foreign Object Damage (FOD) describes the actual damage that results from the object that can be expressed in physical or economic terms and may or may not degrade the product’s required safety or performance characteristics.
During this e-Learning course students will gain a full understanding of the AS9146:2017 (plus 9100 series and AS13100) FOD-related requirements and learn about practical implementation strategies taken from industry sources to mitigate FOD risk using the most cost-effective solutions.
Counterfeit parts (CP) prevention
Counterfeit parts (CP) are parts made or modified so as to imitate or resemble an ‘approved part’ without authority or right, and with the intent to mislead, intentionally falsify or defraud by passing the imitation as original or genuine. CPs are “causal factors” in numerous aviation accidents and emergency landings.
CP avoidance demands a formal counterfeit parts prevention program with awareness training for personnel.
Counterfeit parts pose a clear and present danger to organizations, their customers and the end-user of products.
During this course, students will understand everything that is needed to develop, document and implement/audit conforming processes to address requirements contained in these standards/guidance documents: AS9100, AS13100, AS5553C, ARP6328, AS6174A and IEC TS 62668-1.
Safety Management System (SMS)
A SMS is an organized approach to managing safety, including the necessary organizational structures, accountabilities, policies, objectives and procedures.
The requirement for a SMS has now been embodied into Part 21 regulations for organizations responsible for the type design (Sub J) and/or production (Sub G) of aeronautical parts and articles.
Product safety is determined by, and reflected in, the safety practices and behaviours in the workplace, as well as in the output of the product.
Organizations need to consider operator, process, and product safety to understand how safety practices and culture can affect the safety outcomes of the organization – this unique courses provides the answers!
Configuration Management (CM) & Notification of Change (NOC)
Configuration management (CM) the process of taking care of products by managing all aspects of the data surrounding them – including all the changes – throughout the product life cycle.
CM is designed to manage processes, relationships and deliverables between different organizations. CM corrects problems in the life cycle stages and shortens the time it takes to change versions and enables good management to avoid errors.
ISO 10007 provides guidance on the use of CM within an organization.
Notification of Change (NOC) refers to a formal process used to communicate proposed changes to a product or system configuration within the supply chain. NOC is a critical component of Configuration Management (CM), ensuring that all relevant stakeholders are informed about impending changes and have the opportunity to assess their potential impact and provide feedback before implementation.
The IAQG standard AS9116 defines the common NOC requirements for the uniform submittal of change notifications and/or approval when contractually invoked.
Why consider e-Learning?
TEC's e-Learning courses ensure clear understanding of 9100 series auditing requirements and provide practical guidance on how conduct, and follow-up, effective audits.
For staff empowerment don’t limit yourself to face-to-face training – remember that the stone age didn't end because they ran out of rocks!
e-Learning is an excellent alternative providing the individual with convenience and flexibility as they embark on their learning journey
e-Learning is also extremely cost-effective for their companies
Read our MD's ARTICLE for more information.