Human Factors in Automation
Understanding the role of people in complex systems
Automated systems still need people to operate, supervise and repair them. Failure to consider human factors in automation can result in the disengagement of the workforce, unsustainably high or low workload for operators, difficult to use interfaces, and unexpected human failures. Operators may also struggle to take over in the event of a system failure.
Our support to automation projects involves:
- Understanding how an operator’s tasks may be changed, and identifying the various competencies, equipment and non-technical skills that they will need
- Supporting the organisational changes required to accommodate system automation
- Determining the optimum layout of a control room to support collaboration, effective communication and sound decision making
- Providing support to the design of ever more complex HMIs and alarm systems, ensuring that user-centred design principles are applied throughout
- Conducting predictive workload and error analyses to ensure that future tasks are performed efficiently and reliably
We continue to work closely with Rio Tinto and BHP, supporting the automation of critical systems such as ore trains, haul trucks and ship loaders