Ergonomics & Human factors: fade of a discipline

This commentary from de Winter and Eisma argues that Human Factors & Ergonomics (HFE) may be “losing credibility” and significance. Despite claims about being a thriving science, it’s argued that the discipline may be at risk of slowly fading because of some of these challenges. This paper had several follow-up articles and rebuttals from other… Continue reading Ergonomics & Human factors: fade of a discipline

Missing focus on Human Factors – organizational and cognitive ergonomics – in the safety management for the petroleum industry

This article explored the application of HF/E in Norwegian petroleum industry (as of 2017). Some of the results were pretty interesting, and representative of elsewhere. Findings: ·        “results revealed an immature focus and organization of Human Factors” ·        “Expertise on organizational ergonomics and cognitive ergonomics are missing from companies and safety authorities and are poorly prioritized during… Continue reading Missing focus on Human Factors – organizational and cognitive ergonomics – in the safety management for the petroleum industry

Night shift work and indicators of cardiovascular risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This may interest people – a meta-analysis and systematic review of the effects night shift work has on markers of cardiovascular risk. Not a summary – you can read the full open access paper. 81 studies met inclusion criteria – 14 cohort and 67 cross-sectional. Findings: ·        “Night shift work is associated with increased inflammation ·        “HDL-C… Continue reading Night shift work and indicators of cardiovascular risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Human Factors and Ergonomics in Industry 5.0 —A Systematic Literature Review

This open access article may interest people – it explored the future of human factors/ergonomics in Industry 5.0 (I05). Not a summary but you can read the full paper freely. Some extracts: Shout me a coffee Study link: https://doi.org/10.3390/app15042123 LinkedIn post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/benhutchinson2_this-open-access-article-may-interest-people-activity-7300617102564933632-WGPj?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAeWwekBvsvDLB8o-zfeeLOQ66VbGXbOpJU

Human factor analysis of cockpit work incidents in high-speed workboats: the mystery hidden between the lines

This study unpacked what investigators look at and how they construct causes in high-speed workboats. It employed a Safety-II / HOP / HF perspective. Tl;dr: human factors are poorly evaluated and largely seen as individual-level factors. Some extracts: ·        “Although the analysis focused on negative observations, it also identified HFs that supported the activity” ·        “Many pivotal… Continue reading Human factor analysis of cockpit work incidents in high-speed workboats: the mystery hidden between the lines

Leveraging Ergonomics and Human Factors (E/ HF) for community impact: what have we learned about how to make a difference

This was a banger – exploring the application of community ergonomics with a strong systems lens. If you’re interested in HF/E, systems thinking, social dynamics, power gradients and more then this will interest you. Can’t do it justice, so a few random extracts. Extracts: Finally they talk about ways to improve this practice – via… Continue reading Leveraging Ergonomics and Human Factors (E/ HF) for community impact: what have we learned about how to make a difference

Procedure excellence: Changing paradigms to enable human reliability

This paper from Elliot Wolf-Stokes and Rob Fisher may interest peeps – around orientating towards operational excellence. Covers a lot of ground – systemic drivers to procedural departures, error drivers in written guidance, mental models, enablers of human reliability and more. I’ve skipped HEAPS, so just a few extracts (link to full paper in comments):… Continue reading Procedure excellence: Changing paradigms to enable human reliability

The ironies of ‘human factors’

This brief book chapter from Hollnagel & Dekker adopts Lisanne Bainbridge’s idea of ironies, in the context of contemporary human factors practice. Can’t cover all the points. Highly recommend you check out Bainbridge’s original paper, though (link in comments). Ironies in this context is a “solution which expands rather than solves or eliminates a problem,… Continue reading The ironies of ‘human factors’

The science of human factors: separating fact from fiction

This brief read discussed some of the misconceptions about human factors for healthcare improvement. It’s open access, so you can read the paper yourself. They discuss where training interventions are likely to be appropriate vs not appropriate. More appropriate uses is: ·        To help familiarise people with new tools or functions, which should include strengths and… Continue reading The science of human factors: separating fact from fiction

Human Factors and New Views of safety applied to management systems: A systematic literature review

This conference paper from Leonidas Brasileiro, Julio Cesar de Faria Alvim Wasserman and Gilson Brito Alves Lima may interest you. It explored how different concepts under HF and New View have been applied to management systems via literature review (2000 – 2023). Note: I’ve skipped a lot, so check out the paper. Some extracts: ·      “New… Continue reading Human Factors and New Views of safety applied to management systems: A systematic literature review