Tag: distraction

COVID-19: Mental wellbeing in the workplace

Psychological safety in the workplace - humanfactors101.com

Frequent and rapid changes in workplaces around the world to control the coronavirus pandemic have the potential to harm the mental wellbeing of millions of people. Prior to the pandemic, mental health was a significant workplace issue and there will be significant increases in mental health issues due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, there are steps that employers can take to promote mental wellbeing in the workplace and this article outlines what organisations can do to create a mentally healthy workplace, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Ironies of Automation

Tesla - Autopilot - humanfactors101.com

The 'ironies of automation' refers to a set of unintended consequences as a result of automation, that could detrimentally affect human performance on critical tasks. Automation might increase human performance issues, rather than eliminate them.

Smartphone addiction: Why do we love them so much?

distracted driver - humanfactors101.com

Each year, thousands of people are killed in road accidents due to drivers being distracted by their mobile phone. Despite awareness campaigns, people continue to use their smartphones whilst driving. This article outlines some of the reasons why smartphones can be addictive and provides some practical tips to help manage the relationship we have with our devices.

Death by design

Christine - humanfactors101.com

Could you be killed by a car tonight? You're perhaps thinking that I'm referring to a road traffic accident - as an occupant in a vehicle, or maybe as a pedestrian or cyclist. But there's another way that you could be killed by a car tonight - YOUR car in fact.  And this isn't a reference to the Stephen King novel "Christine", about a car apparently possessed by supernatural forces. This article examines how a technological change has led to tragedy. Please share this "safety moment" with family, friends and colleagues.

Fatal distraction

Around the world, children die from hyperthermia every year after parents unintentionally left them in a hot vehicle, often for a full day. This article examines these tragedies from a human factors perspective, and provides some tips to prevent it happening to your family. It also asks whether we can learn from these events to improve human performance in the workplace.

Your mobile phone could kill you

park the phone - human-factors-101

A significant proportion of road accidents involve driver distraction. Many drivers admit to making calls, reading or writing messages, and checking social media whilst driving. Using mobile phones can cause drivers to take their eyes off the road, their hands off the steering wheel, and their minds off the road and the surrounding situation. This article outlines how using a mobile can affect driving behaviours, and increase crash risk (even if using a hands-free device).

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