9.6 Tasks

MODULE 9-
HUMAN FACTORS
9.6 Tasks
Issue No.: 01 Date: 06 March 2022 FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY

Revision No.: 00 Status: Draft
MODULE 9 - HUMAN FACTORS
9.6 Tasks
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Objective
1. Physical work
2. Repetitive tasks
3. Visual inspection
4. Complex systems
Issue No.:
Original Author: JTS 01 Date: 06 March 2022 FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY Slide No. 2
9.6 Tasks
OBJECTIVE
After study of this Module, the student will be able to:
Define the following tasks:
Physical work
Repetitive tasks
Visual inspection
Complex systems
Define the characteristics of the following tasks that may affect safety in an aircraft maintenance
environment.
Physical work
Repetitive tasks
Visual inspection
Complex systems
Issue No.:
9.6 Tasks
INTRODUCTION
Many of the tasks of the
aircraft engineer require
Such a task may require
physical effort ranging from
standing, sitting or some
visual inspection to more
other position
complex tasks e.g., engine
installation
Tasks will require use of the

senses with correct body
movements as commanded
by the brain.
Issue No.:
9.6 Tasks
PHYSICAL WORK
Clothing
• Before commencing a task, the engineer should have on the correct clothing for
the task - generally protective clothing and footwear
• Overalls should be of a good fit and comfortable whilst working in strange body
positions (not too loose/long or too tight/short)
• The overalls should only have pockets that can be secured
• Pockets should be empty except for essential work items
• It is good practice not to have loose personal items on one’s person whilst
working on the aircraft which might form a FOD hazard
• After working on the aircraft, a check should be made to ensure that all items in
the pockets are accounted for.
Issue No.:
9.6 Tasks
PHYSICAL WORK
The amount of clothing will depend on the temperature and the nature of
the task
As more clothing is worn, the movement of the torso, arms and legs is
restricted
Boots/shoes should be nonslip, not affected by fuels/oils, non-spark making

and will not cause aircraft structures to become scratched
Ideally the footwear will incorporate a safety toe cap.
Issue No.:
9.6 Tasks
PHYSICAL WORK
Body Posture
When carrying
The height of For The floor should
out visual
the vice/bench filing/machinery be firm and
inspections the
should be work the level, but if
workpiece
related to the workpiece standing for
should be
elbow height of should be 5 cm long periods,
between elbow
the person lower than the duck boarding is
height and 25
using the bench elbow height advantageous.
cm above
Issue No.:
9.6 Tasks
PHYSICAL WORK
Body Posture
When lying on your back Kneeling - use kneepads or

under an aircraft use a other suitable padded
crawler board if possible and material.
if lying on your side a cushion Try to be supported by the
for the head to reduce full length of the lower knee
straining the neck muscles whilst kneeling.
Issue No.:
9.6 Tasks
PHYSICAL WORK - BODY MOVEMENTS
Body Lifting and carrying – always try to avoid strain. If

something is too heavy to lift without strain, then
movements get a friend to help you or use lifting equipment
• If an item is too bulky ask for help or use lifting equipment
o When lifting an item from floor level always bend the knees, with legs slightly apart
o Lift the item using the muscles in the legs and try to keep the back as straight as possible
o If an item cannot be lifted like this ask for help
o When straightening up, keep the arms bent and the item as close to the body as possible
• Holding the item away from the body produces a moment which the back muscles have to
counteract putting strain on the spinal column
• When carrying anything heavy keep it close to the body and restrict the amount of time that it is
being held
• Extra time carrying can lead to extra strain on the back.
Issue No.:
9.6 Tasks
PHYSICAL WORK - WHAT NOT TO DO

• Whilst carrying a load avoid twisting as it can lead to back
Twisting
problems
• Never pull anything (aircraft etc.) which could run you over
• Never strain when pulling. The same applies for pushing
Pulling • If a wheeled vehicle is being moved ensure it has a serviceable
brake system or other means of stopping its movements
• If it won’t move by using a reasonable force get a friend to
help
• Never overreach yourself on a job, particularly at height, as
Reaching
this may cause overbalance and falling.
Issue No.:
9.6 Tasks
PHYSICAL WORK - WORKING AT HEIGHT
On certain aircraft types,

The design of the equipment Most firms will have in place
due to their large size, we is governed by local country a maintenance program for
often need the following: regulations. In the UK the the equipment with a
• Ladders British Standards Institution recording and identification
• Adjustable work platforms (BSI) makes sure that the system to ensure that it is
• Aircraft docking systems equipment is safe for its serviceable, and it has
• Safety harnesses designated use and suitable documentation to
conforms to regulations confirm its service history.
Issue No.:
9.6 Tasks
PHYSICAL WORK - WORKING AT HEIGHT
If you suffer from

acrophobia(fear of
heights) you should
When working on a only work at a height
ladder it should be which you feel
secured to a strong comfortable.
Working at height point on the aircraft
outside the aircraft, on
a ladder or platform at
Guardrails around
3 m or more above the
working platforms
should be about waist ground, a safety
height with a low harness should be
level screen to worn
prevent small objects, It should be an
sockets etc. from approved type and
falling off secured to the
platform
Issue No.:
9.6 Tasks
REPETITIVE TASKS
If you were tasked to fit 5 rivets

Tasks are normally classed as it would not be classed as
repetitive if the task duration is repetitive, but if you had put the
comparatively short and task same rivets in day after day for
frequency is high months on end then it could be
classed as a repetitive task.
Issue No.:
9.6 Tasks
REPETITIVE TASKS
Larger tasks on The person carrying
aircraft can also out a repetitive task
become repetitive If a task becomes can carry it out
repetitive then without putting in
• e.g., a turnaround
inspection on one boredom will start much real thought
particular aircraft to creep in, leading
The person can
carried out several to low arousal
times a day and so on
level, reduced think of other
over several months things whilst
motivation and the
chance of making working, the mind
mistakes can wander, and
mistakes can
happen
Issue No.:
9.6 Tasks
REPETITIVE TASKS
A job change is
not always
possible so, in • Take regular short breaks – a few minutes will help
the meantime, • Try and break the work pattern with a different task
there are 4 ways if possible
to prevent • Change positions
boredom and • Check manuals from time to time to confirm you
the adoption of are following the correct procedure
a complacent
attitude:
Note: repetitive tasks can be reduced by moving people around from time to time, within a team
so each person has a variety of task to do
Issue No.:
9.6 Tasks
VISUAL INSPECTION
The process of inspection

by using our eyes
supported by visual aids
We use our senses of feel,
and backed up by test
smell and hearing but
equipment is the main
vision is the sense we
process by which we
most rely on
ascertain the serviceability
of an aircraft and its
equipment
Issue No.:
9.6 Tasks
VISUAL INSPECTION
Engineers must be aware of:

• Tricks of perception when visually inspecting
• Limitations of there eyesight and the need for glasses or contact lenses to
correct focusing defects
• The physical environment, hopefully, is ideal for the person to carry out the visual
inspection i.e., adequate lighting, heating, ventilation and low noise levels
• Whilst the engineer is carrying out his inspection it is advisable to
prevent/minimize distractions which may disturb his short-term memory and
concentration
• This can be done by preventing ‘visitors’ talking to the engineer directly at his
workstation and any disrupting noises such as telephone calls.
Issue No.:
9.6 Tasks
VISUAL INSPECTION
If in doubt about colour , assistance should be

Lighting – this should be sufficient
sought for confirmation of its correct
and the correct type
identification.
Engineers should inform management of any

colour perception (colour blindness) problems so
The wrong type of light source can
that the person should only work on tasks that
cause problems with colour
are not colour dependent for satisfactory
perception
completion e.g. colour identification of cables
and flight deck instrument decals
Issue No.:
9.6 Tasks
VISUAL INSPECTION
Parallax error – while reading instruments and gauges always

hold the scale so it is parallel with the eye of the observer
A light held at head height of the observer at 90 to the scale

will be an aid to help prevent parallax error
Some instruments have mirrors behind the pointer so when

the mirror image is in line with the pointer there is no error.
Issue No.:
9.6 Tasks
VISUAL INSPECTION
Light and physical limitations of the human eye

can be overcome using visual aids:
• Magnifying glasses
• Mirrors
• Bioscopes/intrascopes
• Video Cameras
• Colour television monitors.
Issue No.:
9.6 Tasks
COMPLEX SYSTEMS
On large pressurised
aircraft data from
Modern aircraft, fixed To maintain these
various systems is
and rotary wing, have systems/components
recorded for the Flight
many systems which more than one
Data Recorder, but is
combine mechanical trade/license category
also linked to
and electronic features is required
computers e.g. Air Data
Computer.
Issue No.:
9.6 Tasks
COMPLEX SYSTEMS
• Takes pitot and static pressures and converts them into

a digital signal for the flight data recorder and other
Digital Air computers to use
Data • Air data is used by the Full Authority Engine Control
computer(FADEC) to control engine performance and
Computer the Cabin Pressurization computer to control cabin
(DADC) altitude pressure
• For such examples there is a need for both mechanical
and avionics engineers (under EASA part 66).
Issue No.:
9.6 Tasks
Issue No.:

9.6 Tasks

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

9.6 Tasks

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

MODULE 9-

Issue No.: 01 Date: 06 March 2022 FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY

Tasks will require use of the

Boots/shoes should be nonslip, not affected by fuels/oils, non-spark making

Ideally the footwear will incorporate a safety toe cap.

When lying on your back Kneeling - use kneepads or

PHYSICAL WORK - BODY MOVEMENTS

Body Lifting and carrying – always try to avoid strain. If

PHYSICAL WORK - WHAT NOT TO DO

PHYSICAL WORK - WORKING AT HEIGHT

On certain aircraft types,

PHYSICAL WORK - WORKING AT HEIGHT

If you suffer from

If you were tasked to fit 5 rivets

The process of inspection

Engineers must be aware of:

If in doubt about colour , assistance should be

Engineers should inform management of any

Parallax error – while reading instruments and gauges always

A light held at head height of the observer at 90 to the scale

Some instruments have mirrors behind the pointer so when

Light and physical limitations of the human eye

• Takes pitot and static pressures and converts them into

You might also like