Tesco PLC have commissioned PsyDrive to undertake a Human Factors pilot study at one of their distribution centres. Typically, the first line of defence when managing the risks of driving for work, is to implement some form of driver training to increase awareness, knowledge and skills, but this approach fails to address the behavioural factors associated with crash involvement (Ker et al, 2002). 

 

In the delivery of services, operational personnel must co-exist with safety deficiencies daily. For this reason, safety reporting by operational personnel is a rich source of safety management information for organisations. Safety management systems (SMS) require explicit lines of decision-making accountability at the senior management levels to avoid a mismatch between “work as envisioned” and actual practices. For example, in-vehicle technology may not always operate as expected, there may be procedures that cannot be executed as planned under real-time conditions, front-line employee shortcuts and local adaptations to procedures to make the job easier can lead to human error.

 

Developing Human Factors knowledge amongst managers and drivers enables a new way of looking at safety management processes in road risk management. Developing manager knowledge and skills in using a systems-based approach to driving for work is the first step to understanding Human Factors for improved fleet safety. Implementing SMS may involve reorienting and refocusing existing safety process and activities under the safety management umbrella. 

 

The outcome of the Human Factors pilot study will be evaluated to identify behavioural and attitudinal changes amongst managers and drivers alike.

 

 

Ker, K., Roberts, I., Collier, T., Beyer, F., Bunn, F. and Frost, C. (2005). Post-licence driver education for the prevention of road traffic crashes: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 37(2), 305-313.

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