Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Case 1
The mechanics had a reasonably good risk understanding. They under-
stood the process inside the cooler. The mechanic manually closed the
input pipe as an extra safety measure and checked the pressure via the
manual handle several times. But he never took into consideration that
something might block the pipe to the valve. A better understanding of
pollution inside generators or plants in general would have improved
his total comprehension of the process and would have increased risk
understanding. In such a case, the mechanic could have anticipated
this potential problem with other checks or precautions.
Case 2
Usually driving lessons are done in reasonably good weather condi-
tions. A young driver still has to learn how a car behaves under
adverse conditions like snow or heavy showers. Once he knows how to
drive in such weather, he has the potential to become a safe driver.
4.3 COMBINING NEWNESS, SENSITIVITY, AND AWARENESS
It is possible to combine the effects of the three neurological processes
discussed so far. The result is an indication of the probability of safe
behavior. We can see that the highest point is reached after seven
years, again depending on the complexity of the processes. After that
period, the weakening effect of habituation is relatively stronger than
the strengthening effect of deeper insights in the work processes. If we
turn the last graph upside down, we get an indication of how accident-
prone an average employee can be. The conclusion is that the prone-
ness for accidents is high in the beginning and then reduces as time
passes by. After a certain period in the same function, the proneness
increases again.
The estimated effects in these graphs are based on the assumption
that the employee is in his first position in a plant. If the person
changes jobs, then the effect of newness will decrease in the second job
and the effect of sensitivity and awareness will start at a higher level.
This stabilizes the final graph for safe behavior and accident prone-
ness, although safety problems are still to be expected at the beginning
or end of a period in a certain function.
