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Human Factor in Cargo Security

Student’s First Name, Middle Initial(s), Last Name

Institutional Affiliation

Course Number and Name

Instructor’s Name and Title

Assignment Due Date

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Human Factor in Cargo Security

Cargo handled at the port are diverse and differ depending on the type of industry under

consideration. Despite the differences in the cargo dealt with, the interactions and personnel are

shared across. Shipping cargo at the port is one of the cases we are going to consider in this case.

Personnel is a crucial element when dealing with cargo security. Ole of the human factor

in cargo security cannot be ignored. The roles run across several functions from personnel

security, physical security, business partner security access control, and procedural security

(Kilic and Gundogdu 2020). However, involving the human factor in cargo handling is a risk.

Therefore, there is a need to evaluate and assess risks and their impacts on the human element in

cargo movements. In a facility that deals with valuable cargo, human factors become a threat by

accessing such valuables either through assessment of the contents of the containers, fortified

documents and vehicles. Other alternatives are then involved in cargo security to cur the threat

due to human factors.

The human factor is a significant contributor to the loss of control both in air and

shipping cargo. The assumption by the human element can result in loss of control—set analysis

ground rules. Proper communication and control lead to successful control of functions and

activities.

Cargo clearance is the function of the human factor in cargo management and movement.

Timely clearance of cargo is a critical function by the human element. However, personnel may

delay the clearance of cargo, leading to inconveniences. Interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial

to meeting organizations goals (Olentsevich and Gladkih 2020). Human willingness to appreciate

change is critical to the maintenance of control in cargo management. Understanding internal

customs organization should be the starting point to making changes.

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In conclusion, the organizations’ security needs technological advancements and devising

following the standards and the laws in place. More education and awareness programs are

necessary for the human factors.

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References

Kilic, B., & Gundogdu, S. (2020). Human Factors in Air Cargo Operations: An Analysis Using

HFACS. Journal of Aviation Research, 2(2), 101-114.

Olentsevich, V. A., Upyr, R. Y., & Gladkih, A. M. (2020, August). Computational procedure for

preparing the technical conditions for stowage and securing cargo in rail cars and

containers. In Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 1615, No. 1, p. 012029). IOP

Publishing.