What is human factors?

Human Factors (or Ergonomics) is the application of scientific knowledge about human capabilities and limitations to the design of objects, systems and environments to maximise performance, reduce error and improve safety.

Human Factors (HF) science is composed of aspects of anatomy, physiology and psychology and underlying all HF work is careful analysis of human activity and interaction between people, things and environments.

The origins of human factors as a formal discipline dates back to the Second World War when designers of military equipment fielded newly designed equipment without adequate consideration given during the design process to the needs and abilities of the fighting men who would use them, with dire consequences.

Human factors failings have been central to some of the highest profile accidents in modern memory including Chernobyl, Pyper Alpha, Challenger space shuttle, and the Paddington rail crash.  There are now a great number of standards and guidelines available to help designers and engineers apply human factors to their programmes.

Find out more about the types of human factors services offered by MBarron Consulting Ltd.