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What are Human Factors
The HSE definition is
Human Factors refer to environmental, organisational, and Job factors and human and individual characteristics which influence behavior at work which can affect health and safety” The Job, The Individual,
and Organisations
Using Your Senses to Recognise the Presence of a unsafe area
Why Should I be Interested in human factors at work?
Careful consideration of human factors at work can reduce the number of accidents and cases of occupational ill health. It can also pay dividends in terms of a more efficient and effective work force.
where should I start ?
during risk assessments
when analyzing incidents, accidents and near misses,
in design and procurement.
In certain aspects of day- to- day health and safety management.
It is a continual challenge to manage the risks to and from people at work so that they remain safe and healthy ,improving health and safety cannot rely just on improvements in technical and system factors. You need to tackle some of the important people issues to.
Understanding Human failure
Over the last 20 years we have learnt much about the origins of human failure.We can now challenge the commonly held belief
that accidents and incidents are the result of “human error”by a worker
in the front line.
Attributing incidents to “human error”has often been seen as a
sufficient in itself and is beyond the control of managers.
This is no longer acceptable as a whole.
Organisations must recognise that they need to consider human factors
as a distinct element which must be recognised ,assessed and managed
effectively in order to control the risks.
Safety Questions to consider
Work area:
Are you familiar with the work area?
Are you familiar with the emergency procedures i.e.
The location of the nearest telephone?
The emergency escape routes?
The nearest fire point?
Permit to work:
Do you understand the permit?
Have you signed the permit?
Is the permit valid?
Are all isolations in place?
Are you wearing the correct PPE?
Risk assessment:
Has a risk assessment been carried out?
Are all the risks and hazards identified?
Have you signed the risk assessment?
Job:
Has a toolbox talk been given?
Do you understand the work content?
Has the sequence of events been explained to you?
Are the correct tools & materials on site?
If scaffolding is to be used, is it tagged?
Have all signs and barriers been erected?
Have all isolations been carried out? Electrical & Mechanical.Are there any simultaneous operations ongoing in the area?
Safety:
Are any of the following assessments required?
COSHH
PUWER
LOLER
Manual handling
Rigging Questions to ask
Is a lifting study required for this task? If so, has it been drawn up by a competent person?
Are the ground conditions suitable for this operation?
Is the equipment suitable for this lift?
Are the lifting beams adequate for the lifting operation?
Are the inspection records available for the lifting equipment?
Has the lifting tackle got the current colour coding?
Is all the lifting equipment marked with the SWL?
Have all safety barriers been erected?
Will the load be moving over people?
Will the load be moving over live plant?
Are tag lines required to prevent drifting? -
Are all personnel involved in the operation experienced & competent?
Is there good access and egress?
Is there adequate space to avoid crushing?
Does everyone understand the lifting plan?
Have any floor openings been covered or barriers erected? |
