Everyone makes mistake even the expert or the competent person can make mistake. The main problem when mistake happen, where operator fail to perform the job as expected, it can cause a minor to major incident or even disaster.
Human Factor is part of the preventive measures that need to be addressed during risk assessment process. Human Factor shall be measured by training conformance but it shall be truly assess during the operator perform the job. The human factor is also need to be addressed during toolbox meeting before performing the task, the Performing Authority or the team leader shall explain to all worker the hazard and risk of the job and also the worker shall assess under what condition the task can go wrong. The Performance Influencing Factor ( PIFs) check list can be used to assess the human factor during risk assessment process or before performing the task.
Performance Influencing Factors (PIFs)
Performance Influencing Factors (PIFs) are the characteristics of the job, the individual and the organization that influence human performance. Optimizing PIFs will reduce the likelihood of all types of human failure. NB. This list is not exhaustive:
Job factors
Clarity of signs, signals, instructions and other information
System/equipment interface (labelling, alarms, error avoidance/ tolerance)
Difficulty/complexity of task
Routine or unusual
Divided attention
Procedures inadequate or inappropriate
Preparation for task (e.g. permits, risk assessments, checking)
Time available/required
Tools appropriate for task
Communication, with colleagues, supervision, contractor, other
Working environment (noise, heat, space, lighting, ventilation)
Person factors
Physical capability and condition
Fatigue (acute from temporary situation, or chronic)
Stress/morale Work overload/underload
Competence to deal with circumstances
Motivation vs. other priorities
Organisation factors
Work pressures e.g. production vs. safety
Level and nature of supervision / leadership
Communication
Manning levels
Peer pressure
Clarity of roles and responsibilities
Consequences of failure to follow rules/procedures
Effectiveness of organisational learning (learning from experiences)
Organisational or safety culture, e.g. everyone breaks the rules
the procedure is not detail enough that give multiple interpretations
operator does multitask job that may cause distraction or lack focus on a certain thing.
Operator work under time pressure, tight schedule and tight supervision by line manager.
Poor equipment design such as valve position too high or gas cylinder is too big for Indonesia people.
Working environment is too noisy that reduce communication quality and reduce thinking capability.
Reference: https://www.hse.gov.uk/humanfactors
