Team-Based Human Factors Challenges

 

As described by the FAA, "Human factors (or ergonomics) is the discipline concerned with optimizing the relationships between people and their activities through the systematic application of the human sciences, integrated within the framework of system engineering.". This refers to the various facets of aviation, in this case, where we must collaboratively have a mutual understanding of expectations as they relate to safety, execution and wellbeing. 

I work in an airframe and power-plant hangar, but not as something cool like an A&P mechanic, as an admissions counselor. My job is to recruit prospective students to train at our facilities and one of the ways I do that is by conducting tours and overseeing demonstrations of some of the mechanical projects behind the scenes. This can be hard on both teams when we are coordinating safety! While I want to make it an engaging experience for the students and involve them as much as possible in the campus, the instructors and mechanics are concerned about the lack of safety training they've had as well as the distraction it might pose to current students, which could lead to mistakes or maintenance issues. 

Below is an example of one of the demonstrations where it's important to maintain physical distance, in the event of the plane falling:

It's my job to make sure that students leave with excitement and a visual representation of what it's like to be an airframe and power-plant mechanic, and it's the instructors job to ensure the safety of campus as well as discourage treating the demonstrations as a viewing box as they are very real and practical examples of how mechanics work hard every day to preserve the integrity of aviation and the safety of such. So how do we coordinate to make sure that we are both benefitting?

Through trial and error we have implemented a system in which prospective students may virtually view these demonstrations on a live zoom with myself and the faculty so that they are engaged and asking questions to us. Additionally, they now have the option to attend an "experience A&P" event on campus twice a year, where students are not allowed on the premises so as to not disrupt instruction and work. And the prospective students are given a 30 minute safety briefing and are monitored throughout the demonstration by the instructors who are now free to participate with them, as they are not teaching during these events. 

Our Gear swing demo during this years experience A&P:

Reference: FAA https://www.faasafety.gov/files/gslac/courses/content/258/1097/AMT_Handbook_Addendum_Human_Factors.pdf

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