Maintenance Resource Management

What is Maintenance Resource Management aimed at?

Numerous safety studies have shown that the causes of aviation accidents and incidents are more likely to be related to human error than mechanical failure.  However, human error may occur both in flight and in ground operations.  Nearly a dozen recent aviation accidents have determined the probable cause to be maintenance related (including factors such as incorrect installation of components, fitting of wrong parts, loose objects (tools, etc.) left in the aircraft, inadequate lubrication, etc.).

Therefore, recognition of the importance of maintenance human factors and the need for operational research is growing.  Past accidents have dramatically demonstrated the potentialimpact of human error problems in maintenance areas such as: training for maintenance and inspection, tracking of maintenance responsibility, procedures and task documentation, work environment conditions, verbal and written communications, and leadership and teamwork. 

Thought Process has designed a tailored MRM Program for aircraft engineers that utilises both theoretical and case studies of past accidents to highlight the significant impact maintenance error(s) may have on the safe and efficient conduct of maintenance operations. 


MRM as an Error Prevention Tool

Training maintenance personnel in human factors and crew resource management can also help to avoid, trap or mitigate the consequences of human-related problems. Crew resource management for maintenance has already been successfully introduced by many aviation organisations across the world. Topics such as stress, shift work, and commercial pressures are taught during the course.  Participants will also receive the required skills to communicate clearly and assertively to supervisors when it is required.

Sadly, it sometimes takes an accident or serious incident before there is agreement on what needs to be changed within the organisation.  It is far better to identify the human factors and organisational failings before they have an opportunity to cause trouble, because reacting to disasters after the event is a costly and inefficient way of improving safety.


MRM Objectives 

a) To equip aviation maintenance technicians, supervisors and managers with the skills necessary to enhance safety, teamwork and efficiency in the workplace, and therefore, reduce aircraft maintenance errors;

b) To examine the human role in the chain of events that cause an aviation occurrence and develop ways to prevent or lessen the seriousness of the occurrence;

c) To provide aviation technicians with the tools necessary to understand human behaviour, address conflict, prioritise time and ensure integrity, and;

d) To explore the organisational role in error prevention by providing participants with problem solving, risk management, listening and teamwork strategies for the work place.