Human factors of engineered systems: Introduction

Summary

This training course addresses the challenge by introducing a Human Factors approach that focuses on designing systems, tasks, and workplaces around human capabilities and limitations.

It is recognised good practice to implement Human Factors in the design, operation and maintenance of engineered systems, especially safety critical systems. A rigorous approach to Human Factors is a common requirement for safety critical activities to achieve high reliability performance. Human Factors offers principles, methods, knowledge and data to help minimise the risk of major accidents, boost efficiency and optimise the usability of systems. 

Many organisations train their engineers, safety specialists, operations and maintenance supervisors and managers, as part of their Human Factors strategy. This enables them to recognise Human Factors issues, apply Human Factors principles, methods and knowledge, and know when to seek specialist help.

This highly interactive course introduces you to Human Factors, its aims and role in engineered systems, and how it applies to your work. It uses case studies, exercises and games to exemplify core human factors principles before introducing recognised good Human Factors practice for the design and operation of systems. The course is delivered by a Chartered Human Factors specialist with 40 years’ experience in complex, engineered and safety critical systems.

Who should attend?

This course is designed for engineers, safety professionals and operations supervisors/managers. No previous Human Factors knowledge is required.

How will I benefit?

After the course, you will be able to: 

• Understand key Human Factors principles and concepts  for design and operations
• Identify human-related risks and error traps in systems and tasks
• Apply user-centred design approaches to enhance usability and efficiency
• Promote a learning-focused safety culture and know when to seek specialist support

Key topics

• Introduction to Human Factors: definition, aims, and role in engineered systems
• Core Human Factors principles: human error, systems thinking, and learning vs. blame
• Case studies highlighting real-world Human Factors issues
• Designing systems for people: user-centred design, interfaces, and workplaces
• Designing tasks and work: identifying risks, managing workload and fatigue
• Building a strong safety culture: psychological safety, teamwork, and leadership
• Human Factors in safety assessment: task analysis and learning from incidents
• Applying Human Factors principles to improve safety, efficiency, and reliability

Meet our trainers

These trainers regularly teach Human factors of engineered systems: Introduction.