Definition(s)
Human Factors
The interaction and application of scientific knowledge about people, facilities and management systems to improve their interaction in the work place and reduce the likelihood and/or consequences of human error.
Source: API RP 75, Recommended Practice for Development of a Safety and Environmental Management Program for Offshore Operations and Facilities: Upstream Segment, Third Edition, May 2004. Global Standards
Human Factors
The scientific discipline concerned with the application of validated scientific research about people, their abilities, characteristics and limitations to the design of systems they use, environments in which they function and interact, and jobs they perform to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.
Source: IMO MSC.1/Circ.1512, Guideline on Software Quality Assurance and Human-Centred Design for e-navigation, 8 June 2015, International Maritime Organization. Regulatory Guidance
Human Factors
The interactions between people, the organisation and the plant, equipment and systems that they interface with. It is also sometimes defined as “fitting the work to the worker” or “the science and practice of designing systems to fit people”.
Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors, Appendix 2 to Health, Safety and Environment Case Guidelines for Offshore Drilling Contractors, Issue 3.3.2, February 2010. IADC Guidelines
Human Factors
Environmental, organisational, and job factors which influence behaviour of work in a way that can affect health and safety.
Source: ISO 13702:2015, Petroleum and natural gas industries — Control and mitigation of fires and explosions on offshore production installations — Requirements and guidelines, Second Edition, August 2015. Global Standards
Human Factors
Physical or cognitive characteristics, or social behaviour, of a person. NOTE Human factors can have a significant influence on the interaction within, and the functioning of, management systems.
Source: ISO 10018:2012(EN), Quality management — Guidelines on people involvement and competence, First Edition, September 2012. Global Standards
Human Factors
All the interactions of individuals with each other, with facilities and equipment, and with the management systems used in their working environment.
Source: OGP Report No. 415, Asset integrity – the key to managing major incident risks, International Association of Oil & Gas Producers, December 2008. Global Standards