Investigating human factors in manual ultrasonic testing: testing the human factors model.

The human factors approach relies on understanding the properties of human capability and limitations under various conditions and the application of that knowledge in designing and developing safe systems. Following the principles of the MTO (Man Technology Organisation) approach, emphasis should be given to the way people interact with technical as well as organisational systems. A model describing human factor influences in relation to the performance shaping factors and their effect on manual ultrasonic inspection performance had been built and a part of it empirically tested. The experimental task involved repeated inspection of 18 defects according to the standard procedure under no, middle and high time pressure. Stress coping strategies, the mental workload of the task, stress reaction and organisational factors have been measured. The results have shown that time pressure, mental workload and experience influence the quality of the inspection performance. Organisational factors and their influence on the inspection results were rated as important by the operators. However, further research is necessary into the effects of stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]