Module Code - Title:
ME5092
-
AVIATION HUMAN FACTORS AND SAFETY
Year Last Offered:
2023/4
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This module covers fundamental and advanced concepts and techniques used in the evaluation and analysis of human factors, ergonomics and safety management in the design and maintenance of aircraft and aeronautical products. It introduces students to the regulatory requirements for initial airworthiness certification and continuing airworthiness management of aircraft fleets. Emphasis is given on the current challenges faced in the airworthiness management sector, including the development and implementation of Safety Management Mystems (SMS) in Design Organisations, Aircraft Maintenance Organisations and Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisations (CAMOs).
Syllabus:
The need to take human factors and ergonomics into account within the initial and continuing airworthiness management working environment and their relation to safety;
Human Performance and Limitations: physical and mental;
Social Psychology: responsibility, motivation, culture issues, team working;
Factors affecting performance: physiological and psychological;
Physical environment: elements within the working environment;
Ergonomic design: ergonomic methods, principles, hazard and control measures;
Tasks: how the nature of tasks affects work performance;
Communication: teams, documentation, dissemination;
Human Error: factors, models, outcomes and management;
Introduction to Safety Management Systems, description, implementation;
Safety reporting, safety information, safety culture.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
Upon successful completion of this module students will be able to:
- Relate what human factors and ergonomics are and how awareness contributes to safety within the broader (initial and continuing) airworthiness management sector
- Explain the internal and external aspects of human factors and ergonomics in design and engineering operations
- Define human factors and ergonomics as they relate to different environments
- Outline appropriate responses to different human factors and ergonomics issues
- Identify and mitigate the negative impact of human factors and ergonomics on performance and human error and its link to safety
- Identify human factors and ergonomics into Safety Management Systems (SMS)
- Relate Safety Culture to human factors and ergonomics issues
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
Upon successful completion of this module students will be able to:
- Acknowledge the essential role that human factors and ergonomics play in the safe design, airworthiness management and maintenance of aircraft.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The module will be delivered online (distance learning) through the University's learning management system. Online lectures integrating active-learning tutorials ('lectorials'), with an emphasis on interactive engagement with students, will be used.
The online lectures will include notes on power point slides, demonstrated examples and presentation of case studies from the aircraft maintenance and airworthiness management sector.
While the programme will be predominantly delivered by distance learning, there may also be opportunities for industry visits.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Lehto, M. R. & Buck, J. R. (2008)
Introduction to human factors and ergonomics for engineers
, Lawrence Erlbaum
Stolzer, A. J. et al. (2001)
Implementing safety management systems in aviation
, Ashgate
Other Relevant Texts:
Wells, A. T. (2011)
Commercial aviation safety
, McGraw-Hill.
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester - Year to be First Offered:
Module Leader:
Anna.Chatzi@ul.ie