Evaluation of a Human Factors Analysis and Classification System as Used by Simulated Mishap Boards
O'Connor, Paul
O'Connor, Paul
Loading...
Files
Publication Date
2011
Type
journal article
Downloads
Citation
O'Connor P, Walker P. Evaluation of a Human Factors Analysis and Classification System as Used by Simulated Mishap Boards. Aviat. Space. Environ. Med.. 2011;82(1):44–48. doi: 10.3357/ASEM.2913.2011
Abstract
O'CONNOR P, WALKER P. Evaluation of a Human Factors Analysis and Classification System as used by simulated mishap boards. Aviat Space Environ Med 2011; 82:44-8.Background: The reliability of the Department of Defense Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (DOD-HFACS) has been examined when used by individuals working alone to classify the causes of summary, or partial, information about a mishap. However, following an actual mishap a team of investigators would work together to gather and analyze a large amount of information before identifying the causal factors and coding them with DOD-HFACS. Method: There were 204 military Aviation Safety Officer students who were divided into 30 groups. Each group was provided with evidence collected from one of two military aviation mishaps. DOD-HFACS was used to classify the mishap causal factors. Results: Averaged across the two mishaps, acceptable levels of reliability were only achieved for 56.9% of nanocodes. There were high levels of agreement regarding the factors that did not contribute to the incident (a mean agreement of 50% or greater between groups for 91.0% of unselected nanocodes); the level of agreement on the factors that did cause the incident as classified using DOD-HFACS were low (a mean agreement of 50% or greater between the groups for 14.6% of selected nanocodes). Discussion: Despite using teams to carry out the classification, the findings from this study are consistent with other studies of DOD-HFACS reliability with individuals. It is suggested that in addition to simplifying DOD-HFACS itself, consideration should be given to involving a human factors/organizational psychologist in mishap investigations to ensure the human factors issues are identified and classified in a consistent and reliable manner.
Funder
Publisher
Publisher DOI
Rights
CC BY-NC-ND