vii
Introduction
This book is a collection of practices and theory to support sensemaking. Our aim is to
support working safely through having a more balanced system approach based on technology, human and organisational issues when automation is implemented. The collection
highlights the importance of human factors and sensemaking in design of systems used
in safety critical operations. Working safely and fulfilling, must be based on user centric
design and meaningful human control in combination with our regard for new technology
for a better society. We have focused on collaboration with automation and automated
systems, especially in the maritime sector. Trying to learn from accident investigations,
and best practices we present a set of inter-related issues. From evolution of Human
Machine Interfaces, accident investigations, safety critical task analysis, sensemaking in
organisations and in accident investigations, Human Factors in ship design and operations,
discussion of user centric agile design, sensemaking and meaningful human control in
automation, to HMI interfaces for improved sensemaking.
A short summary of all the contributions is provided below to give a broad overview of the book.
1 – INTRODUCTION, HOW HMI HAS BEEN EVOLVING
This chapter gives a short introduction to how human–machine interface (HMI) has
evolved going from analogue instruments (such as gauges) local to the plant equipment
to centralized computer-based control systems enabling control of complex operations. Knowledge of how to provide a performance-based system between the human
operator and the computer system is required to reduce the risk of accidents. At the
end of this chapter, we have a short suggestion about good practices related to HMI
design and how to deliver a good return on investment (ROI) from an HMI upgrade.
2 – A GUIDE TO HUMAN FACTORS IN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
Human factors takes a systems approach to the understanding of behaviour, which
is investigated in relation to performance shaping factors in the work environment
and the identification of ‘latent hazards’. Investigations often begin with a ‘microergonomic’ analysis, focusing on events in the immediate environment when the
event took place. This is followed by a ‘macro-ergonomic’ analysis which views the
accident as the end result of a process, seeking to understand why and how latent hazards and other performance shaping factors were present when the accident occurred.
The use of ‘situation awareness’ as an explanatory principle in accident investigation
is critically analysed. Risk compensation is discussed as a psychological mechanism
that can be useful in the analysis of violations. Fatigue and stress are discussed in
relation to job design and accident proneness. Examples of how good design can
promote or prevent error are given. Safety can be seen as a way of determining ‘what
happens next’ through the operation of safety constraints (ranging from the design of
the user interface to the design of organizational policies and procedures) providing
Introduction
This book is a collection of practices and theory to support sensemaking. Our aim is to
support working safely through having a more balanced system approach based on technology, human and organisational issues when automation is implemented. The collection
highlights the importance of human factors and sensemaking in design of systems used
in safety critical operations. Working safely and fulfilling, must be based on user centric
design and meaningful human control in combination with our regard for new technology
for a better society. We have focused on collaboration with automation and automated
systems, especially in the maritime sector. Trying to learn from accident investigations,
and best practices we present a set of inter-related issues. From evolution of Human
Machine Interfaces, accident investigations, safety critical task analysis, sensemaking in
organisations and in accident investigations, Human Factors in ship design and operations,
discussion of user centric agile design, sensemaking and meaningful human control in
automation, to HMI interfaces for improved sensemaking.
A short summary of all the contributions is provided below to give a broad overview of the book.
1 – INTRODUCTION, HOW HMI HAS BEEN EVOLVING
This chapter gives a short introduction to how human–machine interface (HMI) has
evolved going from analogue instruments (such as gauges) local to the plant equipment
to centralized computer-based control systems enabling control of complex operations. Knowledge of how to provide a performance-based system between the human
operator and the computer system is required to reduce the risk of accidents. At the
end of this chapter, we have a short suggestion about good practices related to HMI
design and how to deliver a good return on investment (ROI) from an HMI upgrade.
2 – A GUIDE TO HUMAN FACTORS IN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
Human factors takes a systems approach to the understanding of behaviour, which
is investigated in relation to performance shaping factors in the work environment
and the identification of ‘latent hazards’. Investigations often begin with a ‘microergonomic’ analysis, focusing on events in the immediate environment when the
event took place. This is followed by a ‘macro-ergonomic’ analysis which views the
accident as the end result of a process, seeking to understand why and how latent hazards and other performance shaping factors were present when the accident occurred.
The use of ‘situation awareness’ as an explanatory principle in accident investigation
is critically analysed. Risk compensation is discussed as a psychological mechanism
that can be useful in the analysis of violations. Fatigue and stress are discussed in
relation to job design and accident proneness. Examples of how good design can
promote or prevent error are given. Safety can be seen as a way of determining ‘what
happens next’ through the operation of safety constraints (ranging from the design of
the user interface to the design of organizational policies and procedures) providing