Modeling safety criticality in aviation maintenance operations to support mastery of human factors

Abstract

Aviation maintenance (AM) represents safety critical work and has procedures for safety management. However, sometimes, the modeling of safety critical parts of this work may not be sufficiently concrete for evaluating safety risks in practice. The AM company we studied lacked concrete methods for modeling the most safety critical parts of its work and for utilizing this knowledge in occupational health services (OHS) and safety management. We modeled the safety criticality of six of its tasks using interviews, work process analysis, the Brain Work Index, Work Observation, and HF tool. We summarized the results as a 3D model, and held workshops involving managers, operative, HR and quality assurance personnel, and OHS. We utilized systemic and collaborative orientation, mixed methods and participative development. As a result, the AM company improved its mastery of safety criticality by including new procedures in OHS processes, developing work processes, and modifying recruiting processes.