Reducing Risk Through the Human Element

An online version of this popular course is now available, please see upcoming dates on the right hand side or email Courses@nautinst.org for further information.

The Nautical Institute’s (NI) Reducing Risk through the Human Element course is an interactive course which is delivered daily in sessions of 3 hours 45 minutes, for a period of four days (including breaks). It has been designed to provide mariners with an in-depth overview of how to reduce risks through a focus on the most important physical and psychological aspects of the human, and the interaction of that human in a very specific environment – a vessel at sea. And further, to provide mariners (and their managers) with risk management tools taking into account the realities of human limitations and the implication for delivering consistent, safe and efficient overall performance. 

Mariners that understand both the abilities, and limitations of the human body and mind, are better able to achieve risk reduction – both in themselves, as well in their colleagues at sea. Positive improved performance is closely linked to improved safety culture on board – the ultimate aim in any safety program.

The course builds on the information outlined in The Nautical Institute’s book 'Human Performance and Limitation for Mariners' by delivering this safety-critical information in a direct, instructor-led workshop, using a number of media to deliver this message (accident case studies from CHIRP and MARS reports, material from the Alert! series, videos, exercises, etc.). Active delegate involvement and participation is strongly promoted throughout the online course. We will also provide delegates with references to best-practice guidelines from other high-risk industries (especially rail and aviation).

Course aims

• To provide mariners with an overview of how overall risk can be reduced by understanding the most important physical and psychological aspects of the human, and the interaction of that human in a very specific environment – a vessel at sea.

• To provide mariners (and their managers) with an introduction into the realities of human limitations and the implication for delivering consistent, safe and efficient overall performance and risk reduction. 

Course modules

Session 1

  • Introduction
  • The Human Element in Safety at Sea
  • Reducing risks through HE
  • The Ship and its Environment

Session 2

  • The Human Mind         
  • Living Onboard

Session 3

  • Working Onboard: Fatigue at Sea
  • Working Onboard: Workload, Stress and Communication

Session 4

  • Competency and Confidence     
  • Cultural and Organisational Issues
  • Final Exercise – HE Policy                                                  

 

Meet your instructor

Eric Holliday AFNI
Eric Holliday AFNI

Originally a Marine Engineer, Eric Holliday AFNI has 30 years’ experience as a safety professional. He is recognised as a pragmatic Human Factors Specialist and is an international ambassador for both the CHIRP Maritime and MARS Programmes. He is the CEO of a specialist maritime safety consultancy and leads an international non-profit organisation dedicated to improving health and safety within the commercial fishing industry. He has a keen interest in safety culture promotion, accident investigation, human error management, risk-taking behaviour and the risk / human interface.