Human Error = Bad Ergonomics

Most of you have probably heard about the cruise ship sinking recently. The official findings blames the accident on human error. In most cases human error actually equates to bad ergonomics.

It is the job of the designer to create controls that allow the vehicle to be operated effectively. We can all agree that sinking, or any other type of accident, isn't effective. With the application of good ergonomics designers can take things one step farther. Instead of operating effectively we can operate efficiently.

A main area of ergonomics is error reduction. By designing a control scheme that is intuitive to operate you reduce the chance for error. When someone is inattentive or otherwise inhibited there training leaves them. If the operation requires detailed training it is more likely to result in an error when those mental lapses occur. If we make the controls operate instinctively then we can reduce those errors.

The actual findings haven't been released yet, but when they do there will most likely be a design recommendation associated with it. Something that was confusing or inadequate or cumbersome. The ergonomics will be improved and hopefully accidents like this will not happen again.