Human Factors Engineering: Designing Automation Systems Around People
In industrial environments, technology does not operate in isolation. Every control system, alarm interface, and automated process forms part of a wider socio-technical system in which humans play a critical role. Operators must monitor conditions, interpret information, make decisions, and respond effectively when situations change.
Human Factors Engineering (HFE) focuses on understanding how people interact with systems, equipment, procedures, and their working environment. By designing systems around human capabilities and limitations, organisations can reduce risk, improve performance, and create safer, more reliable operations.
Human Factors Expertise at Proeon
Human Factors Engineering forms an important part of Proeon’s approach to automation and control system design. Leading this area is Jamie Houten, whose expertise helps ensure that people remain at the centre of system design.
From alarm strategies and HMI development through to operator interaction and workflow considerations, Human Factors principles are considered throughout the project lifecycle. This enables us to deliver solutions that are not only technically robust but also practical, intuitive, and aligned with the needs of those who use them every day.
“Attempting to shape people around complex processes can achieve a degree of success. However, designing equipment, interfaces, and procedures around the capabilities and limitations of the people performing the work delivers safer, more reliable, and more sustainable outcomes.”
At Proeon, we recognise that even the most advanced automation systems depend on human decision-making. By incorporating Human Factors principles into our engineering solutions, we help clients create environments where operators can perform effectively, particularly during abnormal or high-pressure situations.
Understanding Human Performance
Every person processes information differently. Factors such as experience, training, fatigue, cognitive load, stress, workplace design, and organisational culture can all influence performance. Human Factors Engineering seeks to understand these influences and ensure that systems support operators rather than overwhelm them.
Human error is often viewed as the cause of incidents. In reality, errors are frequently symptoms of deeper issues such as poorly designed interfaces, excessive workload, ineffective procedures, unclear communication, or information that is difficult to interpret. By addressing these underlying factors, organisations can significantly reduce the likelihood of incidents occurring while improving operational performance.
Human Factors in Control and Automation
As automation technology advances, operators are increasingly responsible for monitoring systems rather than directly controlling them. While this can improve efficiency, it also creates new challenges.
Modern operators are often required to interpret large amounts of information whilst responding to changing process conditions. During abnormal situations, the volume of information can increase significantly, making it more difficult to identify critical issues and make informed decisions.
The role of Human Factors Engineering is to ensure that systems present information in a way that supports decision-making, maintains situational awareness, and enables operators to respond effectively when action is required.
At Proeon, Human Factors considerations influence a wide range of areas, including:
– Human Machine Interface (HMI) design
– Alarm management and rationalisation
– Control room and workstation layouts
– Information presentation and navigation
– Operator workflows
– Procedures and documentation
– Maintenance activities
– Training and competency requirements
– Workload and staffing considerations
By considering how people interact with systems under both normal and abnormal operating conditions, we can help create solutions that are safer, more intuitive, and more effective.
Supporting Better Decision-Making
One of the key objectives of Human Factors Engineering is to provide people with the information they need, when they need it, in a format that is easy to understand.
“At Proeon, we specialise in Human-Machine Interface (HMI) design, creating the vital link between people and machines. In many control rooms, the HMI is the operator’s main point of interaction throughout a shift, so getting the design right from the outset is crucial. My experience has shown that the most successful HMIs are those shaped by the people who use them every day, which is why end-user feedback is such an important part of our design process.”
Poorly designed systems can increase workload, create confusion, and make it harder to identify developing issues. Effective Human Factors design helps improve situational awareness by presenting information clearly, reducing unnecessary complexity, and ensuring users can quickly understand the state of a process.
This enables faster, more informed decision-making and helps operators respond confidently during both routine operations and unexpected events.
Alarm Management: Human Factors in Action
Alarm management is one of the most visible examples of Human Factors Engineering in practice.
Alarm systems are designed to draw attention to conditions that require assessment or action. However, if too many alarms are generated, operators can become overwhelmed, leading to what is commonly known as alarm fatigue.
When alarms are not prioritised effectively, genuinely critical events can become lost amongst routine notifications. This increases operator workload and can make it more difficult to respond quickly to developing situations.
At Proeon, we apply Human Factors principles to ensure alarm systems remain meaningful, manageable, and effective. Through alarm rationalisation, prioritisation, and clear alarm hierarchies, we help operators focus on the information that matters most.
The result is improved situational awareness, reduced workload, reduced cognitive load, faster response times, and ultimately safer and more reliable plant operation.
Human Factors Expertise at Proeon
Human Factors Engineering forms an important part of Proeon’s approach to automation and control system design. Leading this area is Jamie Houten, whose expertise helps ensure that people remain at the centre of system design.
From alarm strategies and HMI development through to operator interaction and workflow considerations, Human Factors principles are considered throughout the project lifecycle. This enables us to deliver solutions that are not only technically robust but also practical, intuitive, and aligned with the needs of those who use them every day.
Engineering Systems for People
Technology performs best when it is designed with people in mind.
Whether improving operator interfaces, enhancing situational awareness, developing effective alarm management strategies, or optimising workflows, Human Factors Engineering helps bridge the gap between complex technology and human performance.
At Proeon, we believe successful automation is achieved when people are given the tools, information, and support they need to make effective decisions. By embedding Human Factors into our engineering approach, we help clients improve safety, reduce operational risk, and achieve more reliable and efficient performance.