INTRODUCTION

GENERAL

Q.1 The majority of aircraft incidents can be related to:

a] technical problems
 b] human error
c] pilot error.

Q.2 What do you call the events that lie dormant until, when combined with an active human error,
trigger an accident?

a] serious events
 b] latent errors
c] accident events

Q.3 Which one is part of the human factor’s “dirty dozen”?

 a] lack of communication
b] lack of co-operation
c] lack of effort

Q.4 In the “error iceberg” philosophy, an in-flight shutdown incident is considered a:

 a] costly event
b] other event
c] serious event

Q.5 How can you prevent an accident caused by many human errors?

a] accidents cannot be prevented

b] by avoiding human errors
 c] by breaking the “chain of events”

Q.6 “Murphy’s law” is:

a] accidents can be prevented

 b] if something can go wrong, it will
c] an organisational culture
Q.7 The ideal behaviour, for a professional aircraft maintenance engineer is :

a] goal directed, rather than person directed

 b] both person and goal directed
c] neither goal nor person directed.

Q.8 Controls and tools used in cold environments should be designed for:

a] clockwise rotation
b] foot activation
 c] gloved hands

Q.9 A “routine violation” is:

a] a human error
 b] “cutting corners” to save time and effort
c] a organisational culture

Q.10 Human Factors is best applied:

a] just in time
 b] early and often
c] as a retrofit

Q.11 Rumble strips on the road, prior to approaching a speed bump, provide what kind of feedback?

a] visual and olfactory (smell)

 b] kinaesthetic (body feeling) and acoustic (hearing)
c] gustatory (taste) and visual
EK STANDARDS

Q.12 How can you report a human factors issue?

a] to your supervisor
b] by filling in a reporting form only
 c] to your supervisor / manager OR by filling in a reporting form

Q.13 The information required on a human factors reporting form is:

 a] the description of your concern, the date and the work area
b] the description of your concern, the date, the work area and your name
c] the description of your concern
THE DIRTY DOZEN

LACK OF COMMUNICATION

Q.1 When conducting a shift handover, instructions should be:

a] written only
b] verbal only
 c] both written and verbal.

Q.2 What is an “effective communication”?

a] when a message is sent and received

 b] when a message is received and action is taken by the receiver
c] when a receiver expresses with body language

Q.3 Which one is the highest form of communication?

a] intonation of the voice

b] verbal
 c] body language

Q.4 Overcoming communication barriers is the responsibility of:

a] the sender
 b] both the sender and the receiver
c] the receiver

Q.5 As a sender, how can you confirm that your message has been understood correctly?

 a] ask for feedback

b] make a written copy of your message
c] wait to see if your receiver makes a mistake or not

Q.6 What are the two types of communication?

a] written and body language

 b] verbal and non-verbal
c] poor and effective
Q.7 When listening to another person, what should you do?

 a] turn to the speaker

b] read a book
c] interrupt when you are in doubt

Q.8 When giving feedback:

a] make sure the listener is busy

b] shout if the listener can’t hear you well
 c] don’t get emotional

NORMS

Q.60 What is a “productive norm”?

a] it’s when everyone has always done a task the same way
b] it is an unsafe procedure
 c] It improves the work procedures towards better efficiency

Q.61 What is a safety net for “norms”?

a] ask for feedback

b] use any tool at hand to perform a task
 c] use the correct part or equipment
COMPLACENCY

Q.9 One of the main problems encountered when using a routine check list is that:

 a] individual responses may become automatic

b] the use of coloured pages to highlight important points becomes useless at night
c] too much information in the list reduces the need for engineers to know their immediate
actions

Q.10 The direction of movement for a control (like a landing gear handle) must take into account:
a] manufacturer’s recommendations
 b] users expectations
c] control logic

Q.11 “I’ve done this task a hundred times…I know what I’m doing.” This statement is a sign of:

 a] complacency
b] lack of assertiveness
c] distraction

Q.12 Never work from memory and expect to find a fault. These are safety nets for:

a] norms
 b] complacency
c] teamwork

LACK OF KNOWLEDGE

Q.13 If you are about to carry out a task and you are not sure of the procedure; what should you
do?
a] use outdated manuals
 b] seek the proper reference or ask someone
c] take a break
DISTRACTION

Q.14 Which one is considered a “distraction”?

a] lack of knowledge
 b] personal problems
c] complex work

Q.15 Which one is a safety net to “distraction”?

a] ask for feedback

 b] go back 3 steps on the checklist
c] understand what you are doing

LACK OF ASSERTIVENESS

Q.16 To be assertive means:

 a] express your opinion or disagreement

b] send a message in writing
c] work as a team

Q.17 A safety net to “lack of assertiveness” is:

a] ask for feedback

 b] don’t compromise your standards
c] ensure everyone agrees with your opinion

LACK OF RESOURCES

Q.48 Which of the items below is considered a “lack of resources”?

a] feedback
b] time
 c] man power
LACK OF TEAMWORK

Q.18 When making decisions in a group, the final decision will be made by:

 a] the team leader

b] the team member with the best argument
c] the majority of team members.

Q.19 When building a team, the “storming” stage is when:

a] the team is a cohesive unit (well integrated)

 b] there is arguments among team members
c] conflicts smooth out

Q.20 “Situation awareness” is:

 a] When you know what went before, what goes now, what will happen then
b] When you don’t care what went before and what will happen then
c] When you know what you are doing

Q.21 How should you deal with a “negative type” of person in a group?

a] argue with him/her

 b] Use a one-on-one discussion and ask for his/her inputs
c] exclude him/her from the group

Q.22 A successful team:

a] has team members who work alone

b] wastes time
 c] can accomplish goals

Q.23 To build a successful team, you need:

 a] a team leader, clear goals, ground rules and communication

b] a team leader, an agenda, ground rules and communication
c] a team leader, clear goals and ground rules

Q.24 A “dominant type” of person will:

a] ask for feedback

 b] interrupt a conversation
c] keep quiet
FATIGUE

Q.25 Short term memory lasts:

 a] less than 30 seconds

b] 30 – 60 seconds
c] more than 60 seconds.

Q.26 During trouble shooting of a complex and difficult aircraft problem, maintaining the same
working team by lengthening their working hours, will:

a] increase efficiency
 b] decrease efficiency
c] have no effect on efficiency.

Q.27 Claustrophobia is a fear of:

a] heights
 b] confined spaces
c] management domination.

Q.28 Melatonin is a natural hormone that:

a] gives energy and helps to wake you in the morning

b] is mood related and promotes a sense of good feeling
 c] tells the body’s biological clock when it is time to sleep

Q.29 REM sleep period:

a] is a deep sleep entered into approximately 1 hour after falling asleep

b] is a light sleep following stage 2 sleep
 c] increases in length as the night progresses

Q.30 Slow wave sleep or Delta sleep is:

a] dangerous and follows a head trauma accident

 b] another name for stage 3 & 4 sleep
c] a light sleep where dreams can occur.

Q.31 The ‘Pupil’ of the eye grows smaller:

a] in conditions of reduced light

 b] in conditions of bright light
 c] to focus the fovea.

Q.32 Information in the short term memory:

a] is not affected by the arrival of new information

 b] must be actively rehearsed to ensure long-term retention
c] can be retained for long periods.

Q.33 Free running circadian rhythms exhibit a periodicity of about:

a] 28 days
 b] 25 hours
c] 23 hours.

Q.34 Acute fatigue:

a] is due to long exposure to stress

b] will lead to insomnia
 c] can be recovered from a good night of sleep

Q.35 An excessive noise level would increase performance:

a] during periods of low arousal

b] during periods of high arousal
 c] never.

Q.36 Generally, an alert of an important aircraft system failure will attract the most attention:

a] if it is a flashing red light only

b] if it is an amber static light
 c] if it is an audio warning and flashing red light

Q.37 The capacity of the working memory, for information you wish to retain, may be expanded by:

 a] grouping the information

b] constant repetition of the material
c] immediate transfer of the material into the long-term memory.

Q.38 Which of the following symptoms is caused by vibration?

a] heart disease
 b] fatigue
c] insomnia
Q.39 Working in high temperature environments can cause:

a] optimum performance
 b] increased errors
c] hearing loss

Q.40 Hypothermia can occur:

 a] in warm and cold weather conditions

b] only when the temperature is below freezing
c] only in wet conditions

Q.41 The capacity of working memory is:

a] 1-3 items
b] +/- 15 items
 c] 5-9 items

Q.42 The extent of damage caused to an ear, following exposure to a loud noise is dependant on
the:

 a] intensity and duration

b] intensity only
c] duration only.

Q.43 A most common symptom of “fatigue” is:

 a] reduced alertness
b] agitation
c] breathing difficulties

Q.44 “Selective attention” occurs when:

a] a person is focusing on a single input

 b] a person is monitoring many inputs at the same time
c] a person speaks to one person at the time

Q.45 Shift workers should avoid carrying major tasks during the period of:

 a] 03h00 AM to 06h00 AM
b] 12h00 PM to 18h00 PM
 c] 06h00 AM to 12h00 PM

Q.46 If you have been prescribed a new drug or medication, by your doctor, you should:

a] carry on with your normal shift pattern

 b] give yourself a 24 hour trial, to check for side effects, before going to work
c] request only day shift and light duties, until the period of medication is complete.

Q.47 The LEFT part of the brain controls:

 a] the right hand

b] the emotions
c] the imagination

LACK OF AWARENESS

Q.59 A safety net to “lack of awareness” is:

 a] check if your work conflicts with a previous repair

b] ask for feedback
c] refer to the manuals
PRESSURE

Q.49 Peer pressure, is brought upon the worker by their assertive:

a] boss
b] subordinate
 c] colleagues.

Q.50 What is a safety net to “pressure”?

a] rush to finish your task before the work shift ends

 b] be aware of your own limits
c] refer to the right manual when performing a task

Q.51 Who generates the most pressure?

a] your colleagues
 b] you
c] your supervisor

STRESS

Q.52 The amount of stress experienced with a particular task is dependant on:

 a] the perceived demand and perceived ability

b] the actual demand and actual ability
c] the perceived demand and the actual ability.

Q.53 Raised blood pressure (hypertension) is the main risk factor in the development of:

a] angina
 b] strokes
c] coronary infarcts.

Q.54 The physiological responses to high levels of stress are:

 a] sweating, dryness of mouth, breathing difficulties

b] indecision, inattention, withdrawal
c] fear, anxiety, depression.
Q.55 Of the following risk factors, associated to coronary heart disease, which one has the greatest
risk?

 a] smoking
b] stress
c] a diet high in polyunsaturated fats.

Q.56 Stress management is:

a] the removal of stress

b] the avoidance of stress
 c] dealing with stress.

Q.57 What is “chronic stress”?

a] a short duration of intense stress

 b] a stress of frequent recurrence or of long duration
c] positive stress

Q.58 Which one is not an effect of “positive stress”?

 a] inappropriate behaviour
b] improved decision-making
c] activated memory