A preliminary ergonomic assessment of piloting a lifeboat in ice

• Published in: Safety science Vol. 49; no. 2; pp. 139 - 147
• Main Authors: Taber, Michael J., Ré, Antonio Simões, Power, Jonathan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier India Pvt Ltd 01.02.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Assessments; Biological and medical sciences; Conventions; Emergencies; Functionality; Habitability; Human performance; Lifeboat; Lifeboats; Medical sciences; Natural gas; Onboard; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Safety; Usability; Canada; North America; America; Habitability; Functionality; Usability; Human performance; Lifeboat; Performance evaluation; Human; Ergonomics; Ice; Performance; Survival
• ISSN: 0925-7535; 1879-1042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2009.11.011

This paper examines human factors associated with piloting a totally enclosed motor propelled survival craft (TEMPSC or lifeboat) in ice. The first section of the paper describes the use of a usability assessment scale to evaluate the coxswain’s (TEMPSC captain) control panel. The second portion examines environmental conditions (habitability) inside the lifeboat during evacuation. All testing was completed in conditions that were consistent with those that might be experienced by ship or offshore oil and gas crewmembers in the event of abandonment due to an onboard emergency. Results indicated that the lifeboat test configuration presented considerable challenges to usability/functionality as well as habitability. These findings suggest that further research should be conducted to evaluate the safety of all existing lifeboat designs. Finally, it is recommended that the international maritime organization (IMO) and safety of life at sea (SOLAS) Convention should mandate user-centered design evaluations for future lifeboat manufacturing.