| Summary: | Student Number : 99112152G -
MA dissertation -
School of Human and Community Development -
Faculty of Humanities === Aviation maintenance is an area where better efficiency is needed to cope with ever
increasing workloads. However aviation maintenance has also been identified as one of
the major causes of accidents and also where maintenance personnel can sustain injuries.
Consequently, if further efficiencies are to be achieved, they cannot come at the cost of
reduced safety margins. The present study was concerned with identifying the reasons
and attributions of injury incidents in major maintenance operations. Moreover compare
team leaders and technicians and also investigate whether human error contributes to
injury incidents. Much of previous research in this area has employed human error
theory. In the present research the researcher tapped into the mainstream psychological
theories to help clarify the mechanism underlying the links between the injury incidents
and behaviour. The present study employed attribution theory and the theory of reasoned
action to share light on explaining behaviour.
The sample consisted of 17 participants, five team leaders and twelve aircraft technicians
from different departments in major maintenance. Results of the study indicate that
participants experienced different injury incidents in major maintenance. These injury
incidents occurred as a result of various contributory factors. Contributory factors cited
were equipment deficiencies, pressure, slippery and dirty floors and stands. Team leaders
and technicians had similar and different responses towards the research questions asked.
Types of errors that contributed to these injury incidents were slips, skill-based,
knowledge-based errors and most importantly, violations. Participants made external
attributions towards injury incidents. Explanations using reasoned action theory with regard to the reasons and actions that lead
to injury incidents were related more subjective norm and also associated with violations
and pressure.
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