Ergonomics on the hangar floor: structuring the intervention process

A methodology is demonstrated which systematically interpreted aircraft inspection tasks in human factors terms, performed projects where human/system mismatches were found, and re-integrated the project findings to provide for comprehensive intervention. A generic function description was first used to structure extensive hangar-floor observations and analysis, and potential mismatches determined. Projects were completed for each function, for example redesigned workcards for the Initiate function and lighting studies for the Search function. Integrative techniques developed were a computer-based audit program to evaluate human factors in aircraft inspection tasks, and a systematic implementation technique based on human factors teams in the hangar.