JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- Distraction could be anything that draws a person’s attention away from the task on which they are employed. Some distractions in the workplace are unavoidable, such as loud noises, requests for assistance or advice, and day-to-day safety problems that require immediate solving. Other distractions can be avoided or delayed until more appropriate times, such as messages from home, management decisions concerning non-immediate work (i.e., shift patterns, leave entitlement, meeting dates, administrative tasks, etc.), and social conversations.
Psychologists say that distraction is the number one cause of forgetting things, hence the need to avoid becoming distracted and to avoid distracting others. Humans tend to think ahead. Thus, when returning to a task following a distraction, we have a tendency to think we are further ahead than we actually are.
To reduce errors from distraction, it is best to complete a task before responding. If the task cannot be completed without hurrying, then we can prominently mark (or “lock off”) the incomplete work as a reminder to ourselves and anyone else who may complete the work. When returning to work after being distracted, it is a good idea to commence at least three steps back, so that we retrace some steps before picking up the task again. If necessary, having someone else double-check our work using a checklist may be appropriate and useful.
Management has a role to play in reducing the distractions placed on its employees. This may involve good workspace design, management of the environment, and procedures that create “safety zones,” “circles of safety” or “do not disturb areas” around workers engaged in critical tasks.
Finally, when approached by a co-worker during a critical task, Airmen of all ranks are encouraged to respectfully communicate their need to complete the task before responding. If you need a minute to get to a logical pause in what you’re doing, say so. “Can I get back to you in 3 minutes? I’m on step 2 of 4 on this checklist, and I don’t want to miss anything.” “Sure! I didn’t realize you were in the middle of that. Just come see me when you’re done.”
Distraction is just one of the aircraft maintenance Dirty Dozen. For the full list, click here: https://www.torch.aetc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3456436/the-dirty-dozen-common-human-error-factors-in-aircraft-maintenance-mishaps/
NOTE: Below is a link to the Airman Safety App (ASAP), which provides Airmen the opportunity to report safety-related risks and close calls using the Airman Safety Action Report. Anyone, anywhere, with almost any device can quickly and easily report safety-related problems involving personnel, equipment or property. Remain anonymous if you wish. Reporting is the first step to obtaining a solution for improvement. Reporting is simple and only takes between 3 and 10 minutes. Click on the link below to start your report. It’s fast and easy!
https://asap.safety.af.mil/#/