Human Factors Policy

9550.8 · FAA

Public domain · FAAOrders & Notices

Overview

The Human Factors Policy (9550.8) is a public-domain FAA order, republished here as a free chaptered HTML edition with a linked table of contents and the official PDF.

Publisher: FAA
Document: 9550.8
Pages: 6
Chapters: 2

Key points

The Human Factors Policy establishes the responsibility for incorporating human factors considerations into FAA programs to enhance aviation safety and efficiency.
The Human Factors Coordinating Committee (HFCC) is responsible for facilitating the generation and application of human factors information throughout the FAA.
The policy emphasizes a systems approach to human factors, integrating considerations into FAA projects from the earliest phases.
Human factors research is critical for identifying problems and solutions that enhance performance and safety in aviation.
The FAA aims to institutionalize human factors principles across all its activities related to system acquisitions and operations.

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of the Human Factors Policy?

The purpose of the Human Factors Policy is to establish policy and responsibility for incorporating human factors considerations in FAA programs to enhance aviation safety, efficiency, and productivity.

What is the role of the Human Factors Coordinating Committee?

The HFCC facilitates the generation and application of human factors information throughout the FAA and coordinates human factors activities among various FAA divisions.

What approach does the FAA take towards human factors?

The FAA takes a systems approach to human factors, which includes conducting research, acquiring necessary information, and applying that information to enhance system performance.

What are the expected benefits of integrating human factors into FAA activities?

The integration of human factors is expected to lead to increased personnel efficiency, improved system performance, reduced costs, and enhanced aviation safety.

What are the responsibilities of the HFCC?

The HFCC is responsible for enhancing the identification of human factors research requirements, fostering information exchange, integrating human factors into rulemaking, and monitoring the efficacy of human factors efforts within the FAA.

APPENDIX 1. EUKAN FACTORS COORDINATING COMMITTEE

APPENDIX 1. EUKAN FACTORS COORDINATING COMMITTEE The Human Factors Coordinating Committee (HFCC) shall continue in force to facilitate FAA human factors endeavors constructively and enhance the use of human factors information. composition and functions of the HFCC are as follows: 1. Com~osition. The committee shall be sponsored and chaired by the FAA Chief scientific and Technical Advisor for Human Factors (Office of the Executive Director for System Development).

Executive directors, associate administrators, assistant administrators, and center directors shall each designate one member (or more if necessary) who shall have the authority to represent that organization in human factors matters. A recording secretary shall be appointed by the committee for the purpose of preparing minutes of the meetings. The HFCC shall encourage participation in its activities by others with significant human factors responsibilities.

2. Functions. The HFCC shall function as an intra-FAA committee to coordinate human factors information, matters, and activities among the executive directors, associate administrators, and assistant administrators. Specific functions of the HFCC are to: a. Enhance the identification of human factors research requirements and the coordination of research results; b. Foster the dissemination and exchange of human factors information among agency organizations; c. Facilitate the integration of human factors into rulemaking, systems acquisitions, and other activities within the agency; d. Identify the need for changes to existing policies, processes, research programs, regulations, or other human factors- related activities and programs; and e. Monitor the efficacy of human factors efforts and programs within FAA.

3. Administration. The HFCC shall develop internal operating procedures that define the frequency of meetings, the structure and relationship of working groups and subcommittees, and the processes and procedures by which its activities are to be carried out.

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Next: Appendix 1 →

Appendix 1

9550.8 Appendix 1 a. The Chair~erson. The chairperson shall be responsible for: (1) Ensuring that the functions of the committee are accompl ishez; (2) Establishing agenda, schedules, and 1ocations.for meetings ; Reviewing committee documentation prior to publication ( 3 ) or distribution; and, (4) Ensuring appropriate representation, organization, documentation, and administration to support the committee.

b. Committee Members. Committee members shall be responsible for: (1) Establishing subcommittees, working groups, and other means of -coordinating human factors programs, research, or other activities within their organizations.

(2) Providing information, briefings, and documentation to the committee on human factors matters within their organizations.

(3) Attending committee meetings or designating an alternate if attendance is not possible.

(4) Participating in other committee activities such as workshops or seminars when appropriate.

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