§ Mr. Palmerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will ask the Health and Safety Commission to investigate and report on psychological factors involved in industrial accidents, with particular reference to aeronautics and public electricity supply.
§ Mr. John GrantI am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the area of "psychological factors in industrial accidents" is a vast one. Such factors are frequently considered in the design and evaluation of man-machine systems in general and with reference to errors and accidents in particular.
Regarding the use of routine safety procedures in complex control situations, general recommendations based on psychological principles can be made as 152W to their form and use. However, the effectiveness in use of such procedures can only be gauged in each operating context and as part of a more general appraisal of the Particular control and work system. The need for further research and application in these areas is currently being considered by an Ergonomics Working Group within HSE.