The contributions of human factors on human error in Malaysia aviation maintenance industries

Abstract

Abstract. Aviation maintenance is a multitasking activity in which individuals perform varied tasks under constant pressure to meet deadlines as well as challenging work conditions. These situational characteristics combined with human factors can lead to various types of human related errors. The primary objective of this research is to develop a structural relationship model that incorporates human factors, organizational factors, and their impact on human errors in aviation maintenance. Towards that end, a questionnaire was developed which was administered to Malaysian aviation maintenance professionals. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) approach was used in this study utilizing AMOS software. Results showed that there were a significant relationship of human factors on human errors and were tested in the model. Human factors had a partial effect on organizational factors while organizational factors had a direct and positive impact on human errors. It was also revealed that organizational factors contributed to human errors when coupled with human factors construct. This study has contributed to the advancement of knowledge on human factors effecting safety and has provided guidelines for improving human factors performance relating to aviation maintenance activities and could be used as a reference for improving safety performance in the Malaysian aviation maintenance companies.

The Role of Maintenance Operator in Industrial Manufacturing Systems: Research Topics and Trends

“…A considerable role is held by human and organisational factors to guarantee reliable, maintainable, and safe operation of industrial systems. Some of the papers analysed and classified the human factors, identifying the several impacts on HR [9,18,[35][36][37].…”

“…Experience, training, and behaviour were classified as the most critical human PIFs, while safety culture, problem-solving resources, corrective action programs, and training programs are the most critical organisational factors. In the study in Reference [35], a structural relationship model was developed. The model combines human and organizational factors to measure their consequences on human errors in aviation maintenance.…”

The Impact of Human Factors and Maintenance Documentation on Aviation Safety: An Analysis of 15 Years of Accident Data Through the PEAR Framework

“…Research on the human factors of the aircraft maintenance industry includes studies focusing on their impact on ergonomics and the maintainability of aircraft (Bernard, Zare, Sagot, & Paquin, 2020), relationship to errors (Padil, Said, & Azizan, 2018), influential factors (Jaiswal, Dalkilic, Verma, & Singh, 2019;Santos & Melicio, 2019), incorporation into safety management system (SMS) practices (Miller & Mrusek, 2019), and approaches to map the risks thereof (Kucuk, 2019). Only few reports usually issued by government-related agencies like the FAA in the United States and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) in Australia have focused on further analyzing and researching aircraft accidents with regards to their relationship to maintenance activities, as presented by the FAA (2018) and Hobbs (2008).…”