Human factors in safety management

Rationale

The CAA's Human Factors (HF) strategy seeks to move to a more proactive approach focused on supporting and developing human performance in aviation. Aviation is a system of systems: it covers multiple interconnected activities, organisations and people that are constantly changing and evolving. How we understand the influences on people's behaviours and actions continues to develop. Application of HF knowledge needs to include how people really behave in an operational environment, so that the equipment, processes, procedures and technology can support people to do their best.

Outcomes

• Everyone involved in civil aviation systematically applies to Human Factors (HF) knowledge and Human Performance (HP) principles to improve aviation safety.
• The development of regulations and guidance material that includes specific HF and HP criteria
• Changes to processes and procedures to better reflect the operational environment and its influence on people's performance
• The CAA is recognised as an authority that actively supports, develops and promotes improvements in HF knowledge and HP within the aviation industry

Actions

• Ensure that CAA staff are trained and competent in HF assessment and able to assess and provide best practice guidance
• Work with European and International bodies to remain globally aligned and promote HF best practice
• Develop methods to enable the CAA and the industry to assess how HF/HP influences have contributed or prevented incidents to minimise future occurrences