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Surface » Controls and Displays
Design Philosophy:
Controls and Displays
Objective
The objective is to minimise risk of operator error related to the understanding or use of controls and displays (including labelling) to ALARP, including consideration in design for foreseeable human error.
Outcome
The intended design outcome should include the following:
- Controls and displays that are appropriately located, intuitive to use, consistent and failsafe.
- Warnings and alarms that are designed to be detectable, unambiguous, simple and meaningful. If multiple alarms are possible then they should be tested and integrated so that they minimise the risk of overloading an operator.
- Labels that are durable, clear and appropriately positioned.
In addition, the intended design outcome should minimise injury from contact with controls and displays in the event of a collision/accident.
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Risks to be Mitigated
Risk of incorrect use of equipment controls, due to their being:
- Not fully understood or misunderstood (12 resources)
- Not easily reachable (particularly frequently used and/or safety critical ones) (8 resources)
- Not consistent with other controls (9 resources)
- Not matching the associated displays (2 resources)
- Not appropriately considering simultaneous control operation (3 resources)
- Unintentionally operated (7 resources)
- Incorrectly selected (4 resources)
- In an unexpected operating mode (mode errors) (4 resources)
Risk of visual displays being illegible, not visible or incomprehensible (eg auxiliary equipment interfering with visibility of primary displays)
(4 resources)
Risk of warnings and alarms:
Risk of incorrect/inaccurate calibration or maintenance of displays, warnings or alarms
(4 resources)
Risk of ineffective labels due to their:
Risk of symbols used in labels, displays and warnings not being fully understood or being misunderstood.
(3 resources)
Risk of injury from controls and displays that protrude, have sharp edges, or have become loose
(4 resources)Examples of Industry Attempts to Mitigate Risks
Indicators, gauges, meters and lights monitoring the condition of the equipment are clearly visible from the operator's position, day or night (eg backlit and adjustable)
(5 resources)
Instruments, controls and other gauges that are marked in colour coded metric units; gauges with a single scale with no multipliers
(4 resources)
Instrument panels made up of a number of easily removable modules to enable various instruments and the wiring loom to be easily serviced
(1 resources)
Labels designed/fitted to be permanent, durable and readable, fitted to non-removable parts where possible (e.g. frame)
(4 resources)
Where isolation points are located behind engine, or other covers, clear isolation labels located both beside the isolation point and on the outside of the cover
(2 resources)
An indicator to display when an engine shutdown timer is activated. The 'off' switch and indicating light mounted (and labelled) on the front dash of the cabin
Making controls and displays low profile, secure and smooth to minimise injury risk in the case of an accident
(2 resources)
EMESRT Information