Industry experts will assess how human factors can affect piloting, aircraft engineering and air traffic control performance both positively and negatively.
Representatives from British Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways, NATS, Boeing Defence UK and the CHIRP Charitable Trust are among those due to speak at the conference, to be hosted by the IOSH Aviation and Aerospace Group.
The group feel that more can be done within the aviation industry when it comes to gaining a better understanding of human factors.
Ross Coppolo, who chairs the IOSH Aviation and Aerospace Group, said: "In recent years, the term 'human factors' has come to the forefront of the aviation industry as aircraft technology and systems become increasingly intelligent and complex, reducing the need for human intervention particularly inflight.
"Furthermore, investigations of recent well-publicised aviation accidents and incidents have determined that the causal, or a significant contributing factor, involved a human-related element.
"Examples include flight crew failing to follow published runway approach procedures, air traffic controllers giving permission for an aircraft to enter a runway when another aircraft is just about to land and aircraft engineers failing to follow procedures, resulting in aircraft components falling off mid-flight.
"Unlike aircraft, equipment and machinery, humans cannot be manufactured to quality control procedures and tolerances which should provide a certain degree of consistency and similarity.
"So with this in mind, how people can most effectively and safely interact with aircraft technology, ground handling equipment, air traffic services provision and aircraft engineering and maintenance functions must be given serious and appropriate consideration."
The conference will be held at College Court, Leicester, on Monday 4 July. It is aimed at safety and health practitioners including IOSH members and non-members, aviation and aerospace industry professionals and others with an interest in aviation or general safety management.
For more information about attending the conference call the IOSH Bookings team on +44 (0)116 257 3197, email [email protected] or visit www.iosh.co.uk/events
The IOSH Aviation and Aerospace Group has completed a number of recent initiatives to raise awareness of the hazards and associated risks whilst working airside. Initiatives have included a series of aircraft turnround guidance posters and the creation of training DVDs around driving safely airside.
More information about IOSH Aviation and Aerospace Group and the annual conference can be found online at www.iosh.co.uk/aviationandaerospacegroup
