HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING

Human factors engineering (HFE) is the systematic application of knowledge of human capabilities, limitations, and behavior to the system's design to meet performance requirements. HFE is concerned with developing and implementing criteria to design equipment, systems, and facilities that interact with personnel who perform operation and maintenance tasks. HFE criteria assist the design team in developing facilities and systems that promote effective work performance, interaction, and personnel safety and health.

Human factors engineering is implemented by developing checklists of approved criteria. A formal HFE review of the process and facility design uses these checklists to determine compliance with the criteria. These reviews identify noncompliant design features and evaluate the system's ability to perform within the HFE criteria to ensure sustained performance and safety.

Parsons has developed and supported human factors engineering services for a wide range of engineering programs. These services have included preparing functional analyses of:

• Human-machine interfaces
• Local, remote, and automatic process systems
• Control room operator response to normal and emergency events
• Workspace adequacy
• Maintainability
• Control display systems
• Communications

Parsons has provided HFE services for the Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System to design a distributed microprocessor-based control room, for the Chemical Stockpile Disposal Program under U.S. Army MIL-STD-1472 and -H46855 requirements, and for the Bigeye Bomb BLU-80/B Load, Assemble, and Pack Facility.

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