Human factors (HF) principles aim to understand the ‘fit’ between an employee, their equipment and the surrounding environment. This can include learning styles, behaviours and values, leadership, teamwork, communication, organisational culture and the design of equipment and processes.
HF training teaches us that while not all accidents are preventable, careful forethought and planning, combined with strict adherence to safe work practices, will minimise the frequency and severity of accidents and incidents.
So, why is a former RAF helicopter crewman talking about Human Factors training? Well, in addition to working as a Ground School instructor for Ascent at RAF Shawbury, I deliver HF, Error Management, and Crew Resource Management (CRM) training to Ascent staff, military colleagues and civilian companies.
Learning from the world of aviation
Although HF and CRM training originate from the aviation world, they apply to all activities, whether in the workplace or in the home.
Crew Resource Management is the effective use of all available resources for flight crew personnel, to assure a safe and efficient operation, thereby reducing error, avoiding stress and increasing efficiency.
Most accidents in aviation do not result from a technical malfunction of the aircraft or its systems, nor from a failure of aircraft handling skills or a lack of technical knowledge on the part of the crew. Instead, they are caused by the inability of crews to respond appropriately to the situation in which they find themselves.
The understanding and application of their principles can enhance efficiency as well as safety. Fundamentally the training examines how we, as a species, interact with each other and how the actions of others effect individual behaviours and thinking.
A bit about me
I joined Ascent in 2016 as part of the fielding team which brought the H135 Juno and H145 Jupiter helicopters into service with UKMFTS. Prior to that, I served with the RAF for 30 years as a helicopter crewman and instructor, training crews on all aspects of flying as well as tactics and gunnery.
In that time, I served around the world on both operational and training tours of duty on a number of different helicopter types. My final tour of duty was as the Rotary Wing Air Safety Officer for 22 Gp RAF, where I was responsible for assuring safety standards throughout the Rotary Wing Flying Training system.
At Shawbury, I now deliver lessons to our military aircrew students on subjects as varied as aircraft technical knowledge, CRM, and the UK Military Recognition syllabus. I also act as the Air Safety advisor to the RAF Shawbury Ascent GM, as well as working very closely with the Station Flight Safety Team.
Why does Ascent offer this training?
Ascent has a wealth of aviation experience, as well as a number of industry-recognised HF and CRM practitioners, who are able to deliver bespoke training packages to customers by digging deep into their experiences and adapting the lessons to our customers’ unique circumstances, using examples not only from aviation, but also from heavy and light industry, healthcare and other sectors.
All of the training offered by Ascent is backed by recognised, psychological and physiological theory and principles. And all of our HF and CRM instructors have both military and civilian recognised qualifications and are backed by Ascent’s world-leading training delivery team.
We currently deliver HF and CRM Training to EDF Nuclear Operations Engineers at Heysham 1 and 2 in Lancashire. Heysham 2 has reported that the training received so far has demonstrably delivered around £5m of savings by identifying errors in process and behaviours before any actual event has occurred.
If you want to know more about Human Factors training and how it could benefit your business or organisation, do get in touch. Remember, any successful programme depends on the skills and experience of the people developing and delivering the training!
