Human error is the unintentional act of performing a task incorrectly that can potentially degrade

the system. There are three types of human error:

1. Omission: not performing an act or task.

2. Commission: accomplishing a task incorrectly.
3. Extraneous: performing a task not authorized.

There are also four consequences of human error:

1. Little or no effect.
2. Damage to equipment/hardware.
3. Personal injury.
4. Catastrophic.

Why are human factors, such as exhaustion, complacency and stress, so critical in the
maintenance of aviation? These situations, along with many others, are known as human causes.
Human factors directly cause or lead to a significant percentage of aircraft crashes. It is widely
accepted that 80% of repair errors include human factors. If they are not identified, they can
cause damages, injury to staff, lack of time and even accidents.
Aviation protection is highly dependent on repairs. If this is not achieved properly, it leads to a
large percentage of aircraft crashes and injuries. Examples of repair failures include improperly
assembled components, missing parts and not doing the required inspections. Compared to
several other risks to aviation safety, Errors of an aircraft maintenance technician (AMT) can be
more difficult to spot. These errors are frequently present, but not apparent, and have the ability
to stay latent, impacting the stable operation of aircraft for long periods of time.
AMTs are faced with a range of human factors specific to aviation. They will work in the
evening or early morning hours, in small areas, on elevated platforms and in a range of adverse
temperature/humidity conditions. Job can be physically taxing, but it often requires attention to
detail.
Because of the design of maintenance activities, AMTs typically spend more time planning for a
mission than actually completing it. Proper recording of all maintenance work is a vital aspect,
and AMTs usually spend as much time reviewing maintenance records as they do.

What are Human Factors?

The word "human factors" has become more common as the commercial aviation industry
recognizes that most aviation crashes and injuries involve human error rather than technological
failure. Human factors science or technology is a multidisciplinary discipline that incorporates
perspectives from the areas of psychology, architecture, industrial design, mathematics,
operational analysis and anthropometry. This concept encompasses the science of recognizing
the properties of human potential, the application of this understanding to the design,
implementation and deployment of structures and services, and the art of ensuring the effective
application of human factor concepts to the management of the working environment. There is a
vast variety of human factors that may influence the maintenance and efficiency of aviation.
They cover a wide variety of problems that impact people very differently than humans do not all
have the same skills, talents, shortcomings or limitations. Unfortunately, aeronautical
maintenance activities that do not take into account a large number of human limitations can
result in technical errors and injuries. Figure 14-5 illustrates some of the human factors
influencing AMTs. Others are more extreme than others, but in most situations, when you add
three or four causes, they create a challenge that leads to an injury or event.

Elements of Human Factors

Human factors are composed of a variety of disciplines. This section includes ten of the
following disciplines: Behavioral Psychology, Experimental Psychology, Anthropometrics,
Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Protection Engineering, Medical Science, Organizational
Psychology, Instructional Psychology, and Industrial Engineering.

Research and implementation of human factors is challenging because there is not just one easy
solution to address or improve the way individuals are affected by such circumstances or
scenarios. The overarching aim of aviation maintenance human factors research is to define and
improve the factors that influence human performance in maintenance and inspection. The
emphasis starts with the technician, but spreads to the whole engineering and technological
enterprise. Study is streamlined by integrating a broad variety of disciplines that influence human
factors in an attempt to learn how individuals can function more effectively and maintain work
efficiency.

By recognizing each discipline and adapting it to particular circumstances or human activities,

we can properly identify and resolve possible human causes before they evolve into a crisis or
establish a chain of complications that result in an accident or incident.

Clinical Psychology-Clinical psychology involves the research and practice of psychology for
the purpose of recognizing, avoiding, and alleviating psychiatric suffering or dysfunction, as well
as for the advancement of subjective well-being and personal growth. It reflects on the
individual's emotional well-being. Clinical psychology can help people cope with depression,
dealing with adverse circumstances processes, negative self-image, and embracing colleagues'
critique.

Experimental Psychology-Experimental psychology entails the study of a number of specific

behavioral mechanisms, often in a laboratory setting. These processes can include learning,
sensation, perception, human performance, motivation, memory, language, reasoning, and
communication, as well as the physiological processes underlying behaviors; Including food,
thinking, and problem-solving. In an attempt to assess the efficacy of job policies and practices,
laboratory experiments help to measure efficiency, competitiveness and deficiencies.

Anthropometry-Anthropometry is an analysis of the proportions and capacities of the human

body. This is important for the maintenance of aviation due to the atmosphere and the space in
which AMTs have to operate. For example, a man who is 6 foot 3 inches and weighing 230
pounds may be expected to squeeze into the limited crawl room of the aircraft to perform a
repair. Another example of this is the scale and weight of the machinery and tools. Men and
women usually have two distinct spectrum of height and weight. While all are equally capable of
performing the same role with a high degree of ability, a smaller person can be able to do more
effectively with resources and equipment suited to his or her height. In other words, one size
does not suit everyone, and the term "normal citizen" does not extend to the usage of such a large
group of individuals.

Computer Science-The scientific concept for computer science is the study of the theoretical
foundations of knowledge and computation, as well as functional methods for their execution
and application in computer systems. However, it is easiest to clarify how this applies to aviation
servicing. As described earlier, AMTs expend as much time recording fixes as they do. It's
critical that they have machine workstations that are comfortable and stable. Computer systems
and computer-based research devices should be easy to read and use, and not only for people
with a high degree of computer literacy.

Cognitive Science-Cognitive psychology is an interdisciplinary scientific study of the mind as a

knowledge processor. It involves studies into how knowledge is stored (in faculties such as
vision, vocabulary, thinking, and emotion), expressed and converted into a nervous system or
computer (e.g., computer). It involves several layers of study, from low-level learning and
decision-making processes to high-level reasoning and planning. AMTs must have a strong
capacity to solve challenges effectively and efficiently. They are continuously in need of
troubleshooting situations and respond quickly to them. This can be a vicious circle that causes
an immense amount of tension. The cognitive science discipline lets people learn how to best
support AMTs in circumstances that cause elevated levels of tension so that their mental activity
does not get disrupted and impair their ability to function.

Safety Engineering-Protection architecture guarantees that the life-critical device performs as

necessary even though the part fails. Ideally, safety engineers take an early design of the system,
evaluate it to see what defects can occur, and then recommend safety standards for front design
parameters and improvements to current systems to make the system better. Security cannot be
emphasized sufficiently when it comes to management in aviation, and everyone needs to
function in a secure atmosphere. Protection engineering plays a significant role in the
construction of aviation repair facilities, storage containers for hazardous products used for
heavy lifting, and floor structures to ensure that no drops, trips or crashes are made. The
standards of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are relevant in
industrial work environments.

Medical Science-Medicine is a science and a healing craft. It includes a range of health care
practices developed to preserve and restore health through disease prevention and treatment.
Disposition and physical well-being are very important and strongly linked to human causes. Just
as humans come in various shapes and sizes, they often have very diverse responses to body
chemistry, internal configurations, and biomechanics conditions.

Organizational Psychology-Organizational psychologists are fascinated with the relationship

between individuals and work. Interests include organizational structure and organizational
improvement, workforce morale and job satisfaction, customer behaviour and availability,
placement, recruitment and staff development. Understanding organizational psychology allows
aviation maintenance supervisors to benefit from the points mentioned below that, if practiced,
the job environment and efficiency can be improved.

 Rewards and compensations for workers with good safety records.

 Motivation for workers to want to do well and work safely.
 Unifying work teams and groups so they get along and work together to get the job
done right.
 Treating all workers equally.

Educational Psychology-Educational psychologists are researching how people think to design

the techniques and resources used to teach people of all ages. Everyone learns differently, at a
different rate. Supervisors can develop teaching blocks that appeal to a wide range of learning
types.

Industrial Engineering-Industrial engineering is an integrated approach to job analysis. It is

essential for bosses to set fair expectations of work that can be met and surpassed. Unrealistic
labour requirements create excessive stressors that cause errors. It is also beneficial to provide an
efficient facility layout such that there is space for operation. Clean and uncluttered spaces
improve the efficiency of jobs. Another element of industrial engineering that helps to explain
human factors is the mathematical study of work results. Concrete statistics on work results,
whether positive or poor, can indicate the influencing factors that could have been present when
the work was finished.