Prevention of Pollution from Spills: The Human-Machine Interface Factor

Abstract

Environmental incidents resulting from a spill or release of hazardous materials are often attributed to human error such as carelessness, faulty attitude and inattention. Manufacturing and related urban growth processes in the Great Lakes Basin have resulted in an estimated 3000 significant spills of toxic contaminants annually. The International Joint Commission on the Great Lakes of Canada and the U.S. (IJC) is concerned that these spills contribute significantly to the toxic burden in the Great Lakes Basin and that a catastrophic accident might permanently damage Lake ecosystems. Spills are often caused by a breakdown in the complex relationships between humans and machines. The IJC sponsored workshops to assess concerns at the human-machine interface and develop findings and recommendations on data reporting and analysis, research, communication, training, education and institutional needs. Experts in a diversity of related fields participated. This paper introduces the human-machine aspects of spill prevention and relates findings and recommendations of the IJC workshops which are designed to develop and encourage application of a systemic approach to the prevention of spills. This approach includes human design factors considered in the earliest stages of facilities planning and design based on application of the body of knowledge already in place and in continuing development in nuclear power and aviation industries and associated governmental programs.