- Human Factors Engineering & Organizational Behavior
- Risk Management
- Novel Ship Design
- Crew Endurance Management
- Prevention Through People
- Office of Design and Engineering Standards (CG-521)
- Contact Webmaster
Security Levels
Human Factors Engineering and Organizational Behavior
Overview
In 1994, the U.S. Coast Guard recognized the need to more actively address the role of human and organizational factors ("HOF") in marine safety and environmental protection.
Analyzing past accidents, we found that the majority of them were caused by human or organizational errors. As a result, the Human Element & Ship Design Division was formed and given lead responsibility, for the Coast Guard's efforts in this area.
What We Do Regarding HOF
1. We are responsible for incorporating HOF considerations into Coast Guard regulatory efforts.
2. We develop tools so that our customers --the maritime industry and other Coast Guard units-- can better understand and implement HOF considerations in their activities. For instance:
- Special maritime outreach programs such as:
Prevention Through People (PTP),
Crew Endurance Management System (CEMS), and
- Unique tools like the Human Element Analyzing Process
(HEAP) that the International Maritime Organization
(IMO) uses to evaluate new regulatory instruments.
3. Committee work, coordination, and support are the primary ways that we share HOF knowledge with subject matter experts and our customers:
- We are responsible for incorporating human and organizational factors (HOF) considerations into Coast Guard regulatory efforts.
- Coordinate PTP and CEMS efforts within the Coast Guard.
- Support Advisory Committee work regarding PTP.
- Participate in IMO's Fatigue Correspondence and Human Element Working
Groups.
- Participate on the Department of Transportation's Human Factors Coordinating Committee.
4. Another service that we provide is technical support for HOF activities, including:
- Training program development,
- Coast Guard publication support, and
- Field unit support
Return to Human Element and Ship Design Division (CG-5211) Homepage.