5.3 Team Based Human Factors Challenges

 Human factors in aviation aims to explain and understand how the human experience affects aviation. The study of human factors works with the understanding that no human is immune from mistakes, fatigue, pressure or any other number of innate human experiences and then aims to find ways to reduce the impact of human factors and minimize any potential negative outcome. The FAA estimates that approximately 80% of aviation accidents involve human factors (FAA Safety Team, n.d.). 

Crew resource management (CRM) has become an incredibly important tool within aviation workplaces to ensure communication and teamwork among those involved. CRM initially started as Cockpit Resource Management in the 1980’s to promote a team based collaborative environment within the cockpit. As further research and studies into human factors were completed it shifted to include those outside of the cockpit as well, such as maintenance, ramp crew, flight attendants, dispatchers and many more to develop what we now know as our current definition of CRM. Within CRM some of the main human factors that can cause a breakdown of collaboration and teamwork are communication, assertiveness, pressure, fatigue, and distractions. CRM is taught at all levels within aviation and many companies have required annual training for all staff. This has helped immensely in terms of creating a positive culture where there is less or no fear of speaking up about an issue as collaboration is encouraged. CRM also works hand-in-hand with principles like Threat and Error management Safety Management Systems. 

Resources: 

FAA Safety Team. (n.d.). Avoid the dirty dozen. Retrieved March 8, 2022, from https://www.faasafety.gov/files/gslac/library/documents/2012/Nov/71574/DirtyDozenWeb3.pdf