MAP-01-011 HFI Technical Guide - Human Factors Integration ...

Chapter 2 – Introduction To HFI Technical Areasconditions within closed compartments. Level of noise may affect the perceptionof auditory alerts, warnings and voice communications. Noise levels inmachinery rooms may be such as to require additional protection orcommunications facilities for users. Vibration levels or ship motion may requirethe use of particular types of controls.2.2.11 Equipment Layout (Chapter 14)Equipment layout refers to the size and arrangement of equipments withincompartments or on decks. The two aspects of most importance are theworkspace layout and the workstation layout.The workspace layout includes the complete working environment within whichoperators and equipment must be able to work effectively and safely. The aim isalways to optimise the use of space to ensure that users and maintainers can dotheir jobs without being hampered or interrupted by traffic from passing personnelor exposed to hazards or risks to safety. Adequate clearance must be providedfor normal and maintenance access and for the movement of personnel andmaterial. A hierarchy of displays from those available to the whole team to thoseat individual stations may need to be integrated into the overall workspace.Visibility of, and access to, other team members forms an important requirement.Command and platform management supervisors need such visibility to ensurethat individuals are working together; to monitor effects of workload or fatigue;and to support less skilled crew members. Sub-teams need to be sited togetherto foster co-operative working.At the level of the individual operator, the layout of each operator workstationmust be optimised to match the visual arc, reach envelope and movementenvelope of each of the personnel that may man the equipment. When wearingprotective clothing, an operator must be able to see all displays and easilymanipulate all controls without having to shift position. Adequate space and worksurfaces must be provided for documentation, job aids etc. though physical spacemay be traded off by the provision of on-line access to such materials. Thedesign of workstations may become radically different in the future as morefunctions are automated and integrated into a common layout.2.2.12 Operability and User-Equipment Interaction (Chapter 15)The design of the user-equipment interface may be in the form of a humancomputerinterface (HCI) or some other type of man-machine interface (MMI).The operability of equipment refers to how effectively and efficiently it can beused to achieve mission goals. The operability of equipment is highly dependenton the provision of appropriate functionality to support the operational demandsplaced on users. The design of operable equipment requires that close attentionbe paid to the critical tasks to be performed, as well as to potential fault andemergency conditions.Effective design of displays, controls and dialogue requires that many factors arebalanced including consistent use of labels and symbols, appropriate use ofcolour, meaningful layout of information as well as user preferences for thedisplay and control of information. In particular, the adoption of a Human FactorsStyle Guide enforces consistency and helps operators to learn and transfer skills.The design of operable user-equipment interfaces must also be complementedby the development of the whole task support package including operator andmaintainer procedures, on-line help and documentation.Nov 2006 Page 2-9 Issue 4