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  5. Psychology
  6. PS5525: Human Factors in Industrial Practice

PS5525: HUMAN FACTORS IN INDUSTRIAL PRACTICE (2018-2019)

Last modified: 22 May 2019 17:07


Course Overview

Safety is a priority in every industry.  This course considers safety from a human factors perspective, and is suitable for anyone who wants to learn more about the factors that can influence human performance and safety.

The course will provide insight into human behaviour at work, from how we work together and make decisions (non-technical skills) to the impact of the workplace environment (heat, noise) on our ability to work safely and effectively.

By covering the most up to date research in this area, alongside evaluating real life case studies to discover what went wrong, this course will equip professionals from every industry with the tools they need to begin evaluating, and improving, safety at their own place of work.

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Term Second Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Online Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Sandie Cleland

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Postgraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course considers the factors that can enhance and limit human performance at work, with a particular focus on safety.  An integral aspect of the course will be the evaluation of real life case studies (such as Deepwater Horizon, Apollo 13 and the Tenerife aircraft disaster) to learn more about what can go wrong, and how workers on the frontline can mitigate or reduce the likelihood of an accident or injury.  Looking ahead, the course will also discuss the development of interventions designed to increase safety and performance at work.  By bringing together professionals from industry this course will also encourage you to reflect on best practice in your industry and to discuss that best practice with like-minded individuals.  By the end of the course you will be armed with new knowledge to take back, and apply, to your own industrial sector!

Topics in detail:

  1. Assess and discuss large scale disasters from a Human Factors perspective.
  2. Learn more about how the human element can be a positive influence.
  3. Find out about Human Factors methods, both qualitative and quantitative (from interviews to questionnaires).
  4. Discuss non-technical skills (teamwork, leadership, decision-making, situation awareness) and how these skills can enhance safety performance.
  5. Find out more about the four main aspects of the workplace environment (heat, light, noise and vibration).
  6. Learn about workplace design from a psychological perspective.
  7. Assess the impact of stress and fatigue on safety and performance.
  8. Discuss risk assessment and management strategies.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Individual report (40%); Written exam (50%); discussion group participation (10%).

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Feedback

None.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.
 

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