The human factor as a main tool of occupational accidents and diseases prevention in industry

Resumo

The authors propose a new conceptual model of the Human Factor (HF) that defines the HF as the difference in time and space between the actual level of human abilities and required level of abilities. Thus, if the required abilities are greater than the actual ones, then the HF has a negative value, and “human” can be assessed as a dangerous, harmful production factor, which corresponds to the traditional negative vision of the HF. If the actual abilities are higher than the required level of abilities, then the HF has a positive value, and the concept of “human factor” acquires positive connotation, and means that the worker’s actions, in general, can ensure high-quality and safe performance of work. The proposed model provides for using most of the existing methods for analyzing the reliability of the HF with respect to the production system operation. The article provides several examples demonstrating capabilities of the proposed model in describing the development of intellectual abilities, considering working conditions, assessing the accident risks and complementing the existing occupational safety management systems with due account for the HF.

The authors believe that one of the most effective ways to ensure positive values of the HF is the continuous training of workers on occupational safety issues, which, as evidenced by practice, will reduce the number of industrial accidents by 1.5 – 3 times within 2 years.