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Author Archives: stevenshorrock
What Human Factors Isn’t: 1. Common Sense
‘Human Factors’ (or Ergonomics) is often presented as something that it’s not, or as something that is only a small part of the whole. Rather than just explain what Human Factors is, in this sporadic series of short posts I … Continue reading
Posted in Human Factors/Ergonomics
Tagged ergonomics, human factors, human factors engineering, myths
The Organisational Homelessness of ‘Human Factors’
In this post, I outline four common homes for HF/E within organisations, drawing on personal experience in each of the four organisational divisions in different organisations. I conclude with some of the implications of organisational homelessness. Continue reading
Posted in Human Factors/Ergonomics, systems thinking
Tagged ergonomics, human factors, organisations, silos, systems thinking, work
Reflections from the edge
I have ‘worked on work’ for my whole professional career. For the majority of that time, I have worked primarily in aviation. Unlike many in the industry my primary interest is not in aviation, any more than it is in … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Humanistic Psychology, systems thinking
Tagged ethnography, observing, work, work-as-done
1 Comment
‘Human Factors’ and ‘Human Performance’: What’s the difference?
The term ‘Human Performance’ (and ‘Human and Organisational Performance’ (or HOP) has become increasingly common in recent years in a number of industries, especially those with a safety focus. It is often associated with ‘Human Factors’, or even used as … Continue reading
Posted in Human Factors/Ergonomics, Safety, systems thinking
Tagged behaviour, design, discipline, ergonomics, human factors, human performance, practice, profession, science, work
5 Comments
System Safety: Seven Friends of Explanation
In this short series, I highlight seven foes and seven friends of system safety, both for explanation and intervention. Each is a concept, meme, or device used in thinking, language, and intervention (reinforced by more fundamental foes that act as barriers … Continue reading
System Safety: Seven Foes of Intervention
In this short series, I highlight seven foes and seven friends of system safety, both for explanation and intervention. Each is a concept, meme, or device used in thinking, language, and intervention (reinforced by more fundamental foes that act as barriers to thinking). They are not the only foes or friends, of course, but they are significant ones that either crop up regularly in discussions and writings about safety, or else – in the case of friends – should do.
In this post, I outline seven foes of intervention. Continue reading
