Unsafe acts and unsafe outcomes in aircraft maintenance

Road safety studies using the Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ) have provided support for a three-way distinction between violations, skill-based errors and mistakes, and have indicated that a tendency to commit driving violations is associated with an increased risk of accident involvement. The aims of this study were to examine whether the three-way distinction of unsafe acts is applicable in the context of aircraft maintenance, and whether involvement in maintenance safety occurrences can be predicted on the basis of self-reported unsafe acts. A Maintenance Behaviour Questionnaire (MBQ) was developed to explore patterns of unsafe acts committed by aircraft maintenance mechanics. The MBQ was completed anonymously by over 1300 Australian aviation mechanics, who also provided information on their involvement in workplace accidents and incidents. Four factors were identified: routine violations, skill-based errors, mistakes and exceptional violations. Violations and mistakes were related significantly to the occurrence of incidents that jeopardized the quality of aircraft maintenance, but were not related to workplace injuries. Skill-based errors, while not related to work quality incidents, were related to workplace injuries. The results are consistent with the three-way typology of unsafe acts described by Reason et al. (1990) and with the DBQ research indicating an association between self-reported violations and accidents. The current findings suggest that interventions addressed at maintenance quality incidents should take into account the role of violations and mistakes, and the factors that promote them. In contrast, interventions directed at reducing workplace injury are likely to require a focus on skill-based errors.     

Unsafe acts and unsafe outcomes in aircraft maintenance

Road safety studies using the Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ) have provided support for a three-way distinction between violations, skill-based errors and mistakes, and have indicated that a tendency to commit driving violations is associated with an increased risk of accident involvement. The aims of this study were to examine whether the three-way distinction of unsafe acts is applicable in the context of aircraft maintenance, and whether involvement in maintenance safety occurrences can be predicted on the basis of self-reported unsafe acts. A Maintenance Behaviour Questionnaire (MBQ) was developed to explore patterns of unsafe acts committed by aircraft maintenance mechanics. The MBQ was completed anonymously by over 1300 Australian aviation mechanics, who also provided information on their involvement in workplace accidents and incidents. Four factors were identified: routine violations, skill-based errors, mistakes and exceptional violations. Violations and mistakes were related significantly to the occurrence of incidents that jeopardized the quality of aircraft maintenance, but were not related to workplace injuries. Skill-based errors, while not related to work quality incidents, were related to workplace injuries. The results are consistent with the three-way typology of unsafe acts described by Reason et al. (1990) and with the DBQ research indicating an association between self-reported violations and accidents. The current findings suggest that interventions addressed at maintenance quality incidents should take into account the role of violations and mistakes, and the factors that promote them. In contrast, interventions directed at reducing workplace injury are likely to require a focus on skill-based errors.     

Use of portable ladders – field observations and self-reported safety performance in the cable TV industry

Abstract

Portable ladders incidents remain a major cause of falls from heights. This study reported field observations of environments, work conditions and safety behaviour involving portable ladders and their correlations with self-reported safety performance. Seventy-five professional installers of a company in the cable and other pay TV industry were observed for 320 ladder usages at their worksites. The participants also filled out a questionnaire to measure self-reported safety performance. Proper setup on slippery surfaces, correct method for ladder inclination setup and ladder secured at the bottom had the lowest compliance with best practices and training guidelines. The observation compliance score was found to have significant correlation with straight ladder inclined angle (Pearson’s r = 0.23, p < 0.0002) and employees’ self-reported safety participation (r = 0.29, p < 0.01). The results provide a broad perspective on employees’ safety compliance and identify areas for improving safety behaviours.

Practitioner Summary: A checklist was used while observing professional installers of a cable company for portable ladder usage at their worksites. Items that had the lowest compliance with best practices and training guidelines were identified. The results provide a broad perspective on employees’ safety compliance and identify areas for improving safety behaviours.     

Walking Works Wonders: a tailored workplace intervention evaluated over 24 months

This article presents longitudinal data from 1120 participants across 10 worksites enrolled in Walking Works Wonders, a tailored intervention designed to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour. The intervention was evaluated over 2 years, using a quasi-experimental design comprising 3 conditions: tailored information; standard information and control. This study explored the impact of the intervention on objective measures (BMI, %Fat, waist circumference, blood pressure and heart rate) and self-reported measures of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, physical and psychological health. Interventions tailored to employees’ stage of change significantly reduced BMI and waist circumference compared to standard and control conditions. Employees who received either a standard or tailored intervention demonstrated significantly higher work ability, organizational commitment, job motivation, job satisfaction and a reduction in intention to quit the organization. The results suggest that adopting a tailored approach to interventions is particularly effective in terms of improving health in the workplace.

Practitioner Summary: This study describes Walking Works Wonders, a tailored intervention, which aims to encourage physical activity in the workplace. The study evaluated Walking Works Wonders over a 2 year period and demonstrated that interventions are more effective in improving health outcomes where the information is tailored to employees’ stage of change.     

How to foster frontline employee knowledge sharing within service‐oriented enterprises: Empirical evidence from China

Based on the context of Chinese workplace, the present research aims to explore the combined effects of proactive personality, supervisor–subordinate guanxi (s–s guanxi), and leaders’ innovation expectations on the knowledge sharing of frontline employees (FLEs). Questionnaire data from a sample of 301 FLEs within service‐oriented enterprises in China were used in this study. The results show that proactive personality and leaders’ innovation expectations are both positively related to employees’ psychological empowerment and knowledge sharing, and s–s guanxi significantly impacts psychological empowerment, but has a nonsignificant effect on knowledge sharing. This study expands the understanding of FLEs’ knowledge sharing behavior and enriches our understanding of the guanxi construction process during the interaction between supervisors and subordinates.     

A method for investigating human factor aspects of aircraft accidents and incidents

Approximately 70% of aircraft accidents and incidents have in the past been attributed to human error, and the importance of human error as a major contributory factor is now universally recognized. A satisfactory technique for the investigation of human error type accidents and incidents has not yet been standardized. This paper describes a comprehensive procedure which has been designed to assess human behaviour in instances of aircraft accidents and incidents. The aim of such a human factors investigation is to understand why the accident or incident occurred and so lead to a better understanding of human error, and as a result enhance flight safety.

The use of questionnaires and interviews to assess the subjective data available is discussed, and it is recommended that the most appropriate technique for the assessment of behavioural data is the use of an interview together with a check list. The importance of an early interview with all personnel associated with an accident or an incident by a human factors specialist trained in interviewing techniques is emphasized.

The check list described has been developed after reviewing the relevant literature and has been modified by personal experience derived from the investigation of Army aircraft accidents and incidents in which human factors have played an important part. The check list is based on a systems approach to understanding human error and includes such headings as ‘stress’ (including life events), ‘fatigue’, ‘arousal’ and ‘personality’. It is hoped that further improvements will be made to the check list to enable it to be used not only within the specific area of aircraft accidents and incidents, but also within the broader context of any accidents which may be attributed to human errors and as a result reduce the number of accidents and identify areas where further research may be useful.     

Human factors and road safety. Overview of research at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute between 1977 and 1986

This article presents a brief overview of the research performed at tge Human Factors Division of The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute between 1977 and 1986. The focus of the research has been on human factors (ergonomics) aspects of road safety. Specifically, the research has dealt with the following issues: vehicle headlighting, vehicle rear lighting and signalling, vehicle displays and controls, vehicle components, conspicuity of vehicles, legibility of traffic signs and licence plates, driver reaction time, driver performance, stopping sight distance, driver seated position, individual differences (drivers with disabilities, older drivers), methods for measuring blood alcohol concentration, societal violence and traffic accidents, cross-cultural comparison of driver risk-perception, and theoretical issues.     

Cyberslacking,engagement, and personality in distributed work environments

The modern workplace is becoming increasingly reliant on distributed work arrangements, in which employees work part- or full-time from home, coffee shops, satellite offices, and elsewhere rather than at a centralized location. There are questions about the role of personality in shaping work behavior during distributed work, particularly with respect to cyberslacking and work engagement as indicators of distributed work effectiveness. Cyberslacking can be viewed as an extension of typical counterproductive workplace behavior, and it involves distraction and putting off work to “surf the Internet.” Engagement can be viewed as the intensity of physical, cognitive, and emotional involvement with work activities. We found that non-Big Five personality traits, Honesty and Procrastination, were important predictors of these outcomes. Moreover, we developed three sets of intermediary behaviors linking personality to distributed work effectiveness: regular upward communication, self-management tactics, and conscious socialization efforts. Finally, personality profiles were identified with latent profile analyses in order to determine which “types” of people are more successful than others in distributed work.     

Attitudes towards traffic safety,driving behaviour and accident involvement among the Norwegian public

The present study aims at identifying determinants of risk behaviour and accident involvement in traffic. The results are based on a self-completion questionnaire survey carried out among a representative sample of Norwegian drivers drawn from the driver's licence register. The data was collected in year 2000 and 2001 (n?=?2614). The questionnaire included measures of attitudes, risk behaviour and involvement in accidents and near accidents. The results showed that attitudes towards traffic safety issues influenced involvement in risk behaviour in traffic, especially attitudes towards rule violations and speeding. Risk behaviour had an effect on involvement in near accidents and accidents. Variations in attitudes and risk behaviour were related to age and gender.     

Employee creativity in war zones: Empirical evidence from small firms in Afghanistan

The major concern of employees during times of war and conflict is apparently physical survival. But how are top managers of small‐sized companies enhancing the generation of novel and useful ideas by their employees in such physically dangerous business environments? In Afghanistan, as a war‐torn country, this research examined for the first time how getting closer to employees—which is conceptualized as internal marketing orientation culture in our study—directly affects the generation of novel and useful ideas by employees in the workplace. Our analysis is based on survey data from 81 newly established small‐sized companies in Afghanistan. Results indicate a mediating role of employees' perceived psychological safety on the relationship between internal market orientation culture and employees' creative work involvement. Moreover, we discuss the impact of employees' creative work involvement on small‐sized firm competitiveness improvement in general. Finally, we extend our implications in the context of the componential theory model of creativity, which might also serve as a framework for future research.     

A randomised control trial of the cognitive effects of working in a seated as opposed to a standing position in office workers

Sedentary behaviour is increasing and has been identified as a potential significant health risk, particularly for desk-based employees. The development of sit-stand workstations in the workplace is one approach to reduce sedentary behaviour. However, there is uncertainty about the effects of sit-stand workstations on cognitive functioning. A sample of 36 university staff participated in a within-subjects randomised control trial examining the effect of sitting vs. standing for one hour per day for five consecutive days on attention, information processing speed, short-term memory, working memory and task efficiency. The results of the study showed no statistically significant difference in cognitive performance or work efficiency between the sitting and standing conditions, with all effect sizes being small to very small (all ds < .2). This result suggests that the use of sit-stand workstations is not associated with a reduction in cognitive performance.

Practitioner Summary: Although it has been reported that the use of sit-stand desks may help offset adverse health effects of prolonged sitting, there is scant evidence about changes in productivity. This randomised control study showed that there was no difference between sitting and standing for one hour on cognitive function or task efficiency in university staff.     

Is workplace satisfaction associated with self-reported quad bike loss of control events among farm workers in New Zealand?

This study investigated whether rural workers who have higher workplace satisfaction are less likely to report quad bike loss of control events (LCEs). Two independent samples of farmers completed a survey regarding LCEs and workplace satisfaction. In the first sample (n = 130) analysis revealed no relationship (p = 0.74) between workplace satisfaction and LCEs but lower rates of LCEs were reported by employees (IRR 0.52, 95%CI 0.31–0.86) compared to self-employed participants. In the second sample (n = 112), workplace satisfaction was weakly related to LCEs (IRR 1.04, 95%CI 1.00, to 1.09) with participants who found their job more psychologically demanding more likely to have had an LCE (IRR 1.14, 95%CI 1.05–1.23). Exploring the role of psychological demands on safety behaviour with respect to quad bike use, may help to address this important safety issue.     

The causes of causes: determinants and background variables of human factor incidents and accidents

Abstract

1448 German Air Force pilots took part in an anonymous investigation of critical flight incidents. A 315-item questionnaire was applied, which included relevant preflight and inflight data, physiological and psychological parameters (behaviour variables, subjective state ratings before and during critical situations, pilot errors and their consequences) as well as environmental factors. Extensive data analysis revealed various human errors, which can be intepreted as a four-dimensional error-structure: vigilance errors, perception errors, information processing errors and sensorimotor errors. Determinants and background variables of human factor incidents and accidents were discussed in a model of basic man–machine system interaction patterns. Preventive measures to limit and control human factor incidents and accidents are proposed in a four-step programme.     

Development and validation of a self-report measure of bus driver behaviour

There are likely to be individual differences in bus driver behaviour when adhering to strict schedules under time pressure. A reliable and valid assessment of these individual differences would be useful for bus companies keen to mitigate risk of crash involvement. This paper reports on three studies to develop and validate a self-report measure of bus driver behaviour. For study 1, two principal components analyses of a pilot questionnaire revealed six components describing bus driver behaviour and four bus driver coping components. In study 2, test–retest reliability of the components were tested in a sub-sample and found to be adequate. Further, the 10 components were used to predict bus crash involvement at three levels of culpability with consistently significant associations found for two components. For study 3, avoidance coping was consistently associated with celeration variables in a bus simulator, especially for a time-pressured drive.

Statement of Relevance:The instrument can be used by bus companies for driver stress and fatigue management training to identify at-risk bus driver behaviour. Training to reduce the tendency to engage in avoidance coping strategies, improve evaluative coping strategies and hazard monitoring when under stress may improve bus driver safety.     

How senior management and workplace norms influence information security attitudes and self-efficacy

Prior information security research establishes the need to investigate the informal factors that influence employee attitudes and self-efficacy beliefs about information security. Two informal workplace dynamics that are particularly important for how employees think about information security comprise senior management support and workplace norms. However, there are limitations to empirical research to date on these constructs, including conflicting evidence on the relationship between senior management support and information security attitudes and a lack of research on how norms impact self-efficacy beliefs. Also, although some studies suggest that norms might play a mediating role between information security attitudes, self-efficacy beliefs and their (informal and formal) antecedents, empirical research is yet to investigate these possibilities. Consequently, this study considers the relationships between senior management support, norms, formal controls and information security attitudes and self-efficacy beliefs. It comprises a cross-sectional survey of employees at a law enforcement organisation. Results indicate the central role that norms have on employee information security attitudes and self-efficacy beliefs including their direct and mediating role. In addition, the study highlights the important role that senior management support has on employees’ thinking about information security.     

What went right? An analysis of the protective factors in aviation near misses

Abstract

Learning from successful safety outcomes, or what went right, is an important emerging component of maintaining safe systems. Accordingly, there are increasing calls to study normal performance in near misses as a part of safety management activities. Despite this, there is limited guidance on how to accomplish this in practice. This article presents a study in which using Rasmussen’s risk management framework to analyse 16 serious incidents from the aviation domain. The findings show that a network of protective factors prevents accidents with factors identified across the sociotechnical system. These protective networks share many properties with those identified in accidents. The article demonstrates that is possible to identify these networks of protective factors from incident investigation reports. The theoretical implications of these results and future research opportunities are discussed.

Practitioner Statement: The analysis of near misses is an important part of safety management activities. This article demonstrates that Rasmussen?s risk management framework can be used to identify networks of protective factors which prevent accidents. Safety practitioners can use the framework described to discover and support the system-wide networks of protective factors.     

Development and validation of a self-report measure of bus driver behaviour

There are likely to be individual differences in bus driver behaviour when adhering to strict schedules under time pressure. A reliable and valid assessment of these individual differences would be useful for bus companies keen to mitigate risk of crash involvement. This paper reports on three studies to develop and validate a self-report measure of bus driver behaviour. For study 1, two principal components analyses of a pilot questionnaire revealed six components describing bus driver behaviour and four bus driver coping components. In study 2, test-retest reliability of the components were tested in a sub-sample and found to be adequate. Further, the 10 components were used to predict bus crash involvement at three levels of culpability with consistently significant associations found for two components. For study 3, avoidance coping was consistently associated with celeration variables in a bus simulator, especially for a time-pressured drive. STATEMENT OF RELEVANCE: The instrument can be used by bus companies for driver stress and fatigue management training to identify at-risk bus driver behaviour. Training to reduce the tendency to engage in avoidance coping strategies, improve evaluative coping strategies and hazard monitoring when under stress may improve bus driver safety.     

Workplace slip,trip and fall injuries and obesity

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between slip, trip and fall injuries and obesity in a population of workers at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in Idaho Falls, Idaho. INL is an applied engineering facility dedicated to supporting the US Department of Energy's mission. An analysis was performed on injuries reported to the INL Medical Clinic to determine whether obesity was related to an increase in slip, trip and fall injuries. Records were analysed that spanned a 6-year period (2005–2010), and included 8581 employees (mean age, 47 ± 11 years and body mass index [BMI], 29 ± 5 kg/m²; 34% obesity rate). Of the 189 people who reported slip, trip and fall injuries (mean age, 48 ± 11 years), 51% were obese (P < 0.001 compared with uninjured employees), and their mean BMI was 31 ± 6 kg/m² (P < 0.001). Obesity in this population was associated with a greater rate of slip, trip and fall injuries.