Multi-Tasking and Working Memory: New Info that Could Reduce Workplace Incidents
Personnel selection and training could mitigate the effects of cognitive lock-up among automation operators.
Automation failures have been the cause widely reported disasters, such as the crash of Air France Flight 447 in 2009, as well as much more minor incidents in just about every workplace that uses automation. In the case of the Air France flight, the focus was placed on deficiencies in the automated system. Although automation does help in avoiding human error in completing tasks, people still are needed to monitor how well the automated system is operating.
