31-05-2013, 02:11 PM
Human reliability analysis (HRA) emanating from use of technology for ships navigating within coastal area
ABSTRACT
The traditional approach to the study of human factors in the maritime field involves the analysis of
accidents without considering human factors reliability analysis. The main approach being use to
analyze human errors are statistical approach and probability theory approach. Another suitable
approach to the study of human factors in the maritime industry is the quasi-experimental field study
where variations in performance (for example attention) can be observed as a function of natural
variations in performance shaping factors. This paper analyzes result of modeling human error and
human reliability emanating from the use of technology on board ship navigation in coastal water area
by using qualitative and quantitative tools. Accident reports from marine department are used as
empirical material for quantitative analysis. The literature on safety is based on common themes of
accidents, the influence of human error resulting from technology usage design, accident report from
MAIB and interventions information are use for qualitative assessment. Human reliability assessment
involves analysis of accident in waterways, emanating from human-technology factors interface. This
paper report an enhancement requirement of the methodological issues with previous research study,
monitoring and deduce recommendations for technology modification of the human factors necessary
to improve maritime safety performance.
INTRODUCTION
Humans have relied on oceans, lakes, and rivers to ship
goods from one end to another throughout the recorded
history. Today, over 90% of the world’s cargo is
transported by merchant ships due to various reasons;
including the fact that it is the cheapest form of
transportation. The shipping industry has a fairly good
safety record, however, maritime accidents have a high
potential for catastrophes.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Human factors deal with human abilities and limitations in
relation to the design of systems, organizations, tools etc.
Important parameters are safety, efficiency and comfort.
Human errors and human factors are often studied
separately; therefore, the relationship between them is
often overlooked. According to Gordon et al. (1998),
proposes a framework for describing the relationships
between underlying human factors and more immediately
evident human errors. Gordon categorizes human factors
as individual, group, or organizational, following the
Rasmussen model “Perceptions on the concept of human
error,” that categorize human errors as skills-based, rulebased,
or knowledge-based.
Human error and accident in waterways
The 21st century shipping industry faces new challenges
in term of accident and its consequence. For instance, 25
years ago the average cargo ship would have been
manned with a crew of between 40 and 50 (Grech et al.,
2002). Today technological advances have contributed to
decrease manning, in some cases to just 22 seafarers on
a very large crude carrier (VLCC). There are two sides to
the technological advances. Improvements in ship design
and navigation aids have reduced the frequency and
severity of shipping incidents. In turn, the reduction of
failures in technology has revealed the underlying level of
influence of human error in accident causation
(Catherine, 2006).
The fact that human factors contribute to accidents is
generally accepted, but there is no consensus on the
importance of this factor. Suggestions regarding the
proportion of marine accidents caused by human errors
vary from 50 to 90% of the total (Kletz, 1991). The main
causes of accidents is shown in Figure 1 where first 60%
of the total number of claims recorded that human error
was the direct cause and further 30% human error is from
indirect contributory cause.
Checklists
This is a qualitative approach to ensure that the organizations are
complying with standard practices. The checklists can be used as a
preparation for a port call to avoid unnecessary problems and
delays. The checklists may be included in the International Safety
Management (ISM) procedures as documentation to checks for
maintenance etc. The list can be filled in manually or printout or
electronically. The list is qualitatively assessed in correlation
between human and technology, and management for operation of
ships. Checklist is observed to capture the gaps in the system.
FMEA
FMEA is a systematic tool for identifying the effects or consequences
of a potential product or process failure; and the methods
to eliminate or reduce the chance of a failure of occurring. It
involves identification of the process functions that has been clearly
articulated. It requires preparation of a failure mode analysis and
preparation of worksheets by using reliability analysis software, like
Relex or isograph. And next, is identification of the failure modes
and the description of the effects of these failure modes. This is
followed by establishment of a numerical ranking for the severity of
the effect in order to identify the cause of each failure mode. The
occurrence factor and the likelihood of detection are determined.
The risk priority numbers (RPN) is determined by a product of the
numerical values of severity.
Conclusion
There are errors (both human and technology) common
to accidents in waterways. Employing methods through
which these can be moderated and reduced could potentially
enhance shipping safety. The practical application of
human reliability analysis is clear. It requires obtaining
the cause parameters, both direct and indirect
parameters, from the studied factor. The parameters that
help to better understand the root of the presence of such
a factor, and help to take punctual.