Closing the Human Components of Hazards through Operational Rules, Training Modules and Operational Testing

This poster will provide the process which is being used by the Human Factors led team in the Signalling Programme in Denmark. We demonstrate how we are working closely with colleagues from Operational Rules, Training, Testing... [ view full abstract ]

This poster will provide the process which is being used by the Human Factors led team in the Signalling Programme in Denmark. We demonstrate how we are working closely with colleagues from Operational Rules, Training, Testing and Safety to satisfy the G-ISA, NSA, Infrastructure Manager and Railway Undertakings in hazard management arguments. 

The poster will focus on 3 key messages:

1. Visualisation – using diagrams with common layouts, colours and nomenclature showing the composition of Human Components has clear benefits:
   • All stakeholders can “see the HF” – therefore, it is easier to get buy-in on the need for HF-led operational testing.
   • Complexity is evident by comparing different compositions – therefore, appropriate resource can be allocated to training.
   • The diagrams are easy to navigate – therefore, quality checks are quicker and effective.
   • The output can be read more readily than fault trees and other means of analysing hazards – therefore, any changes can be easily accommodated.
   • The diagrams can be shown and talked about by senior management – therefore, publicity and PR gets easier, with wider exposure and interest at all levels.
2. Process-oriented – a repeatable process is used to produce measures for testing, with demonstrable benefits, particularly for safety assessment and confidence in results:
   • There are clear steps to follow – therefore, every element is treated equally and consistently.
   • The data is contained in a relational database – therefore, it is searchable and evidence can be found quickly and with high reliability.
   • There are quality checks by wider operational experts – therefore, completeness is evident.
   • The approach encompasses CSM-RA assessment – therefore, it aligns with the safety regime.
3. Practicality – the operational testing required for the project is complex and relentless, yet the Human Component approach has been shown to be practical:
   • A multi-disciplinary team can be involved in the production of test scenarios, data collection and analysis – therefore, work can be completed more quickly (without waiting for HF resource to do everything).
   • A variety of methods can be used to provide the evidence of hazard management – therefore, valuable testing time is prioritised.
   • The Human Component Mapping approach delivers content for the key measures to be tested – therefore, there is direct link between the tools used, output collected and evidence for hazard closure.

The poster will show the process and examples of the tools and output of each stage. The authors will be available to explain the benefits that have been experienced and to discuss the way in which HF-led Operational Testing has become the cornerstone of providing evidence of hazard management through Operational Rules and Training as well as wider HF improvements to product design.