Human systems engineering approach for safety and risk management of complex systems design

Human element is the most variable component in socio technical systems, since they exhibit behavioral characteristics driven by emotions, mood, activity level, fatigue, or any number of biological factors which can add to the safety risk of normal industrial and operational processes (Ahram and Karwowski, 2013). That said, humans are also highly adaptable and flexible sometimes serving as saviors of a system and not just a loose, uncontrolled element.