HUMAN FACTORS SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY SUB-MODULE O3 PART-66 SYLLABUS LEVELS cennsicarion carecony - | A [BH] B2 Sub-Module 03 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY Knowledge Requirements 9.3 - Social Piychology 1 Responsibility: individual and group; Motivation and demotivation; P ‘Culture’ issues; Team work Management, supervision and leadership. Levelt A familiarietion with the principal elements ofthe sbje Ove (@) Thespplicart shoud be fair with te basic deen subject (©) The applican should be able to give a simple description of he © Theappiicane should be able se typical ters Module 09 - Human Factors SAIRCRALT 34 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGYINTRODUCTION The vast majority of Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMT) work for a company, either directly or as a contract employee. I ae company has different ways of operating. This is what we call Every company has its own philosophy, policies, procedures, training criteria, and quality assurance methods. RESPONSIBILITY INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY Personal standards include how one treats themselves, how they treat others, how they behave in front of others, and how they perform thei jobs at the highest level. ‘Who we are, how we are raised, and how we are taught influences our personal standards. During training, new employees will adopt the behaviors of the more experienced ‘nian who mentor them, seaalie 9 SR 00g spore o hey can become the foundation of the individual's attitudes and behaviors in the workplace. All asks require attention to detail, as well as adherence to duty and procedures to ensure they are done accurately. Oceasionally one may be challenged by normal ‘behaviors also called where methods used have become the accepted practice at the workplace. “T did it this way because this is how it is always done around here.” AMTs need ro recognize this behavior and decide if the task is being performed as safety requires, or as it 32 normally gets done”. This is where personal standards become important, Would you certify a job on behalf of another AMT you hardly knew, who had completed a task that you ‘were responsible for, if you had not inspected the work performed? This dilemma is more common than you would imagine. Often an AMT will be overseeing multiple tasks on different areas of an aircraft and may even at the same time be involved and responsible for other aircraft. He/she may have to certify that all this simultaneous work has been performed in accordance swith approved standards. Personal integrity should thus empower the AMT to EEE oboe the promotion of safety, integrity, professionalism, and above all else, a resistance to risky behavior Module 09 - Humen FactoreCASE STUDY: TAKING IT FOR GRANTED During the reactivation of a thrust reverse mechanism after maintenance, an experienced AMT reactivating the Center Drive Unit (CDU) lockout needed a suitable platform to visually inspect the upper locking mechanism of the cowling reverser halves. As he left the task, another AMT who had recently joined the team offered to complete the reactivation of the drive unit Returning to the engine with the required platform, the senior AMT observed the engine's final cowlings being closed by the AMT with the help of another AMT who had been working on the opposite engine. “The senior AMT asked the newer AMT if the CDUs were returned to flight condition. The newer AMT informed the senior AMT that the task was complete and that they just needed to latch the final sets of engine cowls (which was observed). When it came time to complete the maintenance documentation, an entry for the thrust reverser lockout hhad to be cleared. The newer AMT had already left the aircraft to clean up, and as it was nearing the end of the late shift, the senior AMT signed for the task being completed in accordance with the aircraft maintenance ‘manual. His belief was that the task had heen completed competently without actually checking the CDUs as the other technicians were closing the engine. So they could ready the aircraft, he left it in a serviceable and a released to service condition. ‘The next morning, when landing in gusty wind conditions on a shorter than normal runway, full thrust reverse was applied and the affected engine did not respond accordingly. As a precaution, and to avoid asymmetric reverse thrust which could lead to loss of control, both engines were selected to forward thrust, and maximum wheel braking applied. As a result of this action seven of the eight wheel brakes needed to be replaced before the next flight. An investigation into the maintenance activities from the evening before revealed that the newer AMT had, never performed the reactivation of he CDU task before and only observed the senior technician removing the lock plate bolts, Not fully aware of why this aetion was being performed, the newer AMT thought the bolts Modula 09 - Human Factors were being fitted, not removed, and therefore required tightening. This action left the lockout plate fitted with the drive lock inserted, thus mechanically deactivating, the thrust reverser. KEY LESSONS, All personnel involved in the task must be fully aware of its progress. This vigilance is an important part of professional behavior. Good communication can avoid the potential for taking things for granted making risky decisions. SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY especially if you have not inspected or observed it : ee gain, if you did not do or inspect ‘the work, you should not sign for it. KEY POINTS + Professionalism comprises those attitudes and behaviors that place the interests of safety above one’s ‘own self interest. + Professionalism can be developed in isolated one, person operations, as well in as larger organizations [oa with a number of technicians. + Professionalism is a characteristic that can both drive (and be driven by), the safety culture of an organization. Colleagues and mentors have a strong influence on professionalism, from the earliest days of a technician's career. 33