INFLUENCE OF HUMAN ENGINEERING ON MANNING LEVELS AND HUMAN-PERFORMANCE ON SHIPS

The objectives of Human Engineering (HE) are generally viewed as incre asing human performance, reducing human error, enhancing personnel and equipment safety, and reducing training and related personnel costs. There are other benefits that are thoroughly consistent with the direc tion of the Navy of the future, chief among these is reduction of requ ired numbers of personnel to operate and maintain Navy ships. The Nava l Research Advisory Committee (NRAC) report on Man-Machine Technology in the Navy estimated that one of the benefits from increased applicat ion of man-machine technology to Navy ship design is personnel reducti on as well as improving system availability, effectiveness, and safety The objective of this paper is to discuss aspects of the human engine ering design of ships and systems that affect manning requirements, an d impact human-performance and safety The paper will also discuss how the application of human engineering leads to improved performance, an d crew safety, and reduced workload, all of which influence manning le vels. Finally, the paper presents a discussion of tools and case studi es of good human engineering design practices which reduce manning.