Lecture Notes on Human Error and SHERPA Software

Introduction to Human Error

• Mistakes are common in workplace tasks but often fixable with modern tools like autosave.
• In critical tasks, errors can have disastrous consequences.
  • Examples: pilots during flight, nurses administering medication.
• Importance of having systems to reduce errors in high-stakes environments.

Systems to Prevent Errors

• Pilots utilize well-designed cockpits and communication protocols.
• Nurses use checklists, alarms, alerts, independent checks, and safety huddles.
• These systems aim to design environments that foster compliance and are user-friendly.

Introduction to SHERPA

• Stands for Systematic Human Error Reduction in Process Analysis.
• Developed by Dr. Embry over 30 years.
• Aims to reduce human error in critical tasks across various industries.
  • Applicable sectors: aviation, nuclear, medical, oil, gas, pharma, defense, energy, etc.

Functionality of SHERPA

• Conducts proactive human factors risk assessments.
• Helps to identify and mitigate error risks before incidents occur.

Step-by-Step Methodology

1. Identify Critical Tasks: Focus on tasks that could threaten survival, cause harm, or incur high costs.
2. Initial Task Analysis: Review current procedures and documentation.
3. Collaborate with Workforce: Build a Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA) to understand actual work practice.
4. Identify Critical Steps in HTA: Focus error reduction on these steps.
5. Review Potential Failures: Examine possible errors and consequences.
6. Assess Performance Influencing Factors (PIFs): Factors that increase or decrease failure likelihood.
7. Implement Risk Reduction Measures: Use interlocks, barriers, and procedure improvements.

Additional Features of SHERPA

• Enhances data quality and performance.
• Improves learning from past incidents.
• Develops risk-aware training.
• Involves experienced operators in procedure design to bridge documentation gap.
• Reviews and simplifies procedures with clear formatting and templates.
• Supports workload analysis and digital procedure oversight.

Case Studies

• Pharma Manufacturer: Reduced error rate by 80%, saving millions.
• Medical Device Designer: Task analysis productivity increased sevenfold.
• Process Safety Consultant: Task analysis conducted 50% faster.

Conclusion

• SHERPA offers support and training to maximize productivity, safety, and reliability.
• Encourages visiting their website and downloading a brochure for more information.