Transcript Power Point Presentation - AC Macris Consultants | Litigiation

Human Factors Engineering
Presented by:
A. C. Macris
A. C. Macris Consultants
Here’s a group of seemingly unrelated
things
The Common Thread
The common thread is –
People
An academic definition of
Human Factors Engineering
The central focus of human factors relates to the
consideration of human beings in the design of manmade objects, facilities and environment that people
“use” in the various aspects of their lives.
The central approach is the systematic application of
relevant information about human characteristics and
behavior to the design of the these objects, facilities and
environments.
Design
Design of:
• Products
• Systems
• Environments
Why is design so important?
Design
• Is proactive
• Is driven by a need or requirement
• Can cost more initially, but
Good human factors design yields returns in
improved performance and reliability.
Design
Let us look at a simple example of design
This is a rather conventional American design
Design
This car was imported into the US in the late 1970s from Italy. Note the
Tachometer in the center with the Speedometer to the right along with more
instrumentation. The cultural design difference is there were no speed limits in
Italy, but engine speed was of considerable interest. Needless to say this design
did not last long in the US.
Design considerations
• Safety
• Environment [hostile such as outer-space, deep sea]
• Population [age/geriatric, physical characteristics,
etc.]
• Compatible work environments [lighting, color,
temperature, etc.]
• Task to be accomplished
• Culture
• Efficient processes and workflows
• Right people in the right job
Assessment
Assessment of:
• Products
• Systems
• Environments
Assessment
Typically is in response to something gone wrong
– Products - equipment
– Systems - warnings
– Environment - hazards
Can be proactive in the context of
– Prevent injury
Assessment yields returns in the context of
avoiding future losses, better design and
improved operations.
Products
Table Saw Blade Guarding
Guard Design
Design issues with guard
Red line indicates a plastic piece across
inner part of guard – sawdust collects
making visibility difficult
Dimension of guard width and ability to rip
narrow pieces of wood
Setup and alignment is tedious
Alternative
A page from a newer saw – they afforded
the user an alternative for narrow ripping
cuts.
No Guard
Table Saw Guarding Survey
We conducted a very comprehensive Table Saw guarding survey.
Below is a summary of the findings.
Four reasons sited for not using guard
Difficult to adjust
Gets in the way
Safer without it
Inhibits my work
One reason not sited for not using a guard
Takes longer to cut
Reason that they would more apt to use a guard
Better design and loss of fingers was the reason respondents gave.
Better Guard Design
• Safer = fewer legal actions
• Marketing advantage = competitive advantage
• More sales for commercial users
Systems - Warnings
Warnings represent a broad range of human
interface issues. These issues include:
–
–
–
–
Effectiveness of warnings,
Whether warnings actually affect behavior,
Which types of warnings are most effective,
With which types of products are warnings most
likely to be heeded
Systems - Warnings
1.
2.
Warnings must be provided if, without such
warnings, the product would be unreasonably
dangerous.
The ultimate users of the product, or those
individuals, who might be expected to be proximate
to the use of the product, are the ones to whom the
warnings should be directed.
Systems - Warnings
For a warning to be effective the user must:
• Notice the warning (color, design, etc)
• Perceive the warning (low voltage v. high voltage)
• Understand the warning (convey the right message)
Design of Warnings
Product Safety Sign or Label: Sign, label, or
decal affixed to a product that provides hazard
and safety information about that product.
Panel: Area of label having a distinctive
background color different from adjacent areas,
or which is clearly delineated by a line, border,
or margin.
Message Panel: Area containing word
messages which identify the hazard, how to
avoid the hazard, and the probable consequence
of not avoiding the hazard.
Signal Word Panel: Area that contains the
signal word. For personal injury hazards, the
signal word panel also contains the safety alert
symbol.
Symbol/Pictorial Panel: Optional area
containing symbol/pictorial.
Design of Warnings
Conventions
an imminently hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, will result in death or serious injury
a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
could result in death or serious injury
a potentially hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury
Thank you
Contact information:
A. C. Macris Consultants
PO Box 535
Mystic, Connecticut 06355
860.572.0043
[email protected]