Citation

Eberts R, Salvendy G. J. Occup. Accid. 1986; 8(1-2): 49-67.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1986, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Eberts, R. and Salvendy, G., 1986. The contributions of cognitive engineering to the safe design and operation of CAM and robotics. Journal of Occupational Accidents, 8: 49-67.Many new technologies -- numerical control, robotics, flexible manufacturing systems, and computer-aided design (all subsumed under the general heading of computer-aided manufacturing) -- are now being incorporated into the manufacturing process. The next several years should see an acceleration of this process. The role of the human operator in these new systems is changing so that the human is now required to perform more cognitive tasks. Assessing the cognitive errors and subsequent accidents is difficult in these new systems. This paper provides a framework for evaluating cognitive errors. First, computer-aided manufacturing tasks are broken down into smaller components. Next, the operator tasks are mapped into three cognitive function areas: attentional resources, decision making, and computer interaction. These three areas are then evaluated in terms of the kinds of errors which can occur, the potential safety hazards, and cognitive engineering solutions to these problems. Recommendations for effective design, for reduction of accidents due to cognitive errors, are provided.