Risk management of human factors in airports screening process

Abstract

Screening process at airports is considered as a critical element for airport security. The screening checkpoints are a component of the airport infrastructure that constitutes a contribution to the security of nations. Regarding the human factor in screening checkpoints, there is an opportunity to consider their specificities within the scope of risk management. This study aimed to develop a consistent tool (risk matrix) which serves as a guide for airports to assess and map human factors in the screening checkpoints. The research method involved four phases, namely: Phase 1: Criterion-conceptual design of the Risk Matrix Modeling; Phase 2: Instrument Construction; Phase 3: Instrument validation; and Phase 4: Practical application of the instrument in a real airport operational context. The risk matrix structure comprises four methodological steps (context, risks, assessment and response) and presents criteria that were not used for this purpose, such as residual risks analysis and financial impact dosimetry linked to administrative measures arising from quality control actions. The tool consists of eleven correlated spreadsheets and is a useful model for mapping human factors (HF-AVSEC) under the security scope. The main results from this study are: (i) the elaboration of a conceptual model for the human factors risk matrix in AVSEC; (ii) the establishment of criteria for the human factors risk matrix; (iii) the development of a practical instrument modeling for AVSEC human factor management (HFM-AVSEC); (iv) validation of the risk matrix criteria by an expert panel working in Class AP-3 and Class AP-2 airports; (v) the application of the matrix in two Brazilian airports (Class AP-2 and Class AP-3), constituting a pioneering, practical and effective contribution to the AVSEC in terms of risk management at airports. The proposed matrix can be replicated by organizations in the aviation industry and by other entities structured as complex and socio-technical systems.