Merged: Senate Inquiry

[Sarcs]

AAI report chapter 8!

Normally don't partake but I think the keyword was 'Layman', perhaps that is why the good Senators referred to it in the writing up of Chapter 8 of the AAI report (hint refer footnote 3 & 4 Ch 8): Chapter 8 AAI report

Importance of human factors

8.3 The ATSB acknowledges the importance of human factors:

The purpose of applying Human Factors knowledge to such investigations is to not only understand what happened in a given accident, but more importantly, why it happened.[3]

8.4 The ATSB's own information notes:

Human Factors are a critical part of the safety investigation process and are at the heart of most aircraft accidents.[4]

8.5 The ATSB website points out the agencies expertise in and contribution to the field of human factors at both the individual and organisational level which is acknowledged as world class.[5]
8.6 The ATSB Chief Commissioner has also personally emphasised the importance of human factors:

The field of human factors is—and always will be—an essential part of the ATSB’s investigation process.[6]

8.7 The importance of human factors principles was also stressed to the committee:

As we said in our submission to the committee, we have a comprehensive methodology for doing this [assessing whether existing arrangements for managing safety risk are adequate]. That methodology takes as its starting point, its base, the principles of human factors that were initially enunciated by Professor Reason and have been built on by a range of others. So, rather than seeing human factors as a separate issue in our investigations, we have integrated them into our overall processes.[7]

8.8 Mr Bryan Aherne, an independent aviation accident investigator and safety and risk adviser to the aviation industry, pointed out the international requirements for an investigation which include human factors:

The collection of Human Factors information is an integral part of the investigation. Thus, the Human Factors information should be integrated into the appropriate areas of the factual part of the report, rather than being placed under a separate heading. Human Factors information should be presented in a language that is consistent with the presentation of the other factual information.[8]

So in other words you are questioning the whole credibility/veracity of the AAI report, in particular R16..

"Recommendation 16
8.35 The committee recommends that, where relevant, the ATSB include thorough human factors analysis and discussion in future investigation reports.
Where human factors are not considered relevant, the ATSB should include a statement explaining why."

...this is despite saying this back in May(post # 1817):

Yep great report with some very relevant recommendations. ATSB and to a lessor extent CASA come out looking dodgy.