Individual latent error detection and recovery in naval aircraft maintenance: introducing a proposal linking schema theory with a multi-process approach to human error research

Abstract

Error recovery has been observed amongst UK naval air engineers, which appears to be a result of some seemingly spontaneous recollection of past activity. Despite an extensive literature review, the nature and extent of this phenomenon are not understood fully and appears to be an under-researched area; causes of error and proximal error detection having been researched widely. To explore this phenomenon, a new theoretical framework is introduced based on a multi-process approach that combines theories on prospective memory, attentional monitoring and schemas. Several examples from a UK military safety database are then analysed for existence of the phenomenon and evidence of the applicability of the multi-process approach. Thus the intent of current research is not to explain why error occurred; it is to understand the nature and extent of situational error from a systems stance, for which individual latent error detection is the effect to be observed.

Keywords:

• individual latent error
• error detection
• error recovery
• UK military
• multi-process

Additional information

Funding

This research is funded by the Royal Navy as part of their individual elective studies programme and not as part of grant.

Notes on contributors

Justin R.E. Saward

Justin Saward is a chartered engineer serving in the Royal Navy as an Air Engineer Officer. He holds a long-standing professional interest in Human Factors and has an MSc in Human Factors & Safety Assessment in Aeronautics.

Neville A. Stanton

Neville Stanton is a chartered occupational psychologist registered with The British Psychological Society, Fellow of The British Psychological Society, Fellow of The Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

In 1998, Prof. Stanton was awarded the Institution of Electrical Engineers Divisional Premium Award (now the Institution of Engineering and Technology) for a co-authored paper on Engineering Psychology and System Safety. The Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors awarded him the Otto Edholm Medal in 2001 for his contribution to basic and applied ergonomics research, The President's Medal in 2008 to the HFI-DTC and the Sir Frederic Bartlett Medal in 2012 for a lifetime contribution to ergonomics research. In 2007, The Royal Aeronautical Society awarded him the Hodgson Medal and Bronze Award with colleagues for their work on flight-deck safety.

Prof. Stanton conducts research into human performance in technological systems. This research has been undertaken in a diverse range of domains, including: aviation, defence, energy distribution, maritime, medicine, nuclear, road and rail transportation, oil and gas production. The fundamentals of human interaction with technology transgresses these domains and Human Factors methods can be used to analyse and make predictions about the performance of individuals, teams and systems. The insights gains from examining the activities of people interacting with technology can be used to assist in the design of better systems and ways of working in the future. As well as designing better human–machine systems, I have undertaken fundamental research into the development and validation of Human Factors methods. Prof. Stanton has published over 25 books and 200 journal papers on his work over the past 25 years.