SHIELD backed by University of Strathclyde

Isabelle Crow
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The University of Strathclyde is encouraging ship operators, safety professionals and accident investigators to use the Safety Human Incident & Error Learning Database (SHIELD) to better understand the underlying root cause of human-factor related issues in maritime incidents.
SHIELD, developed by a consortium of partners across the aviation and maritime spheres as part of the European Union’s SAFEMODE project, was launched in 2022 and is now being used by major cruise lines, a UK-based ferry operator, safety agencies in Europe and Asia and a number of accident investigation boards.
University of Strathclyde Maritime Human Factors Centre, Head, Dr Rafet Emek Kurt’s statement
Dr Rafet Emek Kurt, the Head of the University’s Maritime Human Factors Centre spoke on his belief that more data is required if SHIELD is to have a material benefit on future maritime safety and policy.
Dr Kurt said: “Human factors have long been recognized as a critical element in shipping safety, yet whenever there is an accident, in reaction to the lessons learnt we continue to overload the seafarer with more safety procedures, more checklists, more training.
“This is largely ineffective in reducing human factor incidents and increases the cognitive load on the seafarer. We need to address the root cause of an accident to have any meaningful impact.”
Kurt said that the SHIELD platform provides invaluable feedback to shipmanagers, policymakers, accident investigators and ship and system builders to better quantify the human components in safety risk models, resulting in positive changes in ship design, operations and rules.
“So far, in the absence of high-quality data, the maritime sector has failed to include human factor considerations in critical decision making. As a result, envisaged safety improvements from the sector have been ineffective, with accidents continuing to occur at a steady rate after.”
SHIELD’S impact
Dr Kurt emphasised that through industry-wide collaboration and use of SHIELD, stakeholders can better understand underlying human factor contributors. The data can also serve to develop new accident and risk models as well as tailor research to address any shortcomings.
The SHIELD taxonomy assesses input data against a range of extenuating factors affecting human performance, such as workload, situation awareness, stress and fatigue, human system interfaces, and teamwork.
But, it goes further by providing insight into how organisational and leadership structures, strategies, cultures and socioeconomics play a part.
“SHIELD represents a paradigm shift in how the shipping industry approaches safety,” said Kurt. “By empowering shipowners to deeply analyse their accident data, we can move beyond the traditional ‘human error’ narrative and uncover the true drivers of incidents. This knowledge is invaluable in creating a safer, more efficient, and more sustainable maritime sector.”
The University of Strathclyde support use of SHIELD: Summary
Dr Rafet Emek Kurt, the Head of the University’s Maritime Human Factors Centre has voiced support for the Safety Human Incident & Error Learning Database (SHIELD).
Dr Kurt said SHIELD represents a paradigm shift in how the shipping industry approaches safety.