Cost of HFE Problems
The costs of human factors problems can vary depending on the stage of the product or asset lifecycle and the severity of the problem. Some potential costs include:
- Development: Human factors problems during the development stage can lead to delays and increased costs as issues are identified and addressed. This can include redesigning parts of the product, retraining employees, and testing the product again.
- Production: Human factors problems during production can lead to increased costs associated with rework, scrap, and downtime. Additionally, if the problem is not identified and addressed, the product may not meet safety or performance standards and may not be able to be sold.
- Use: Human factors problems during use can lead to decreased efficiency, increased errors, and increased risk of accidents or injuries. This can result in increased costs for the user, such as increased downtime or increased insurance costs.
- Retirement: Human factors problems during the retirement stage can lead to increased costs associated with decommissioning, disposal, and environmental impact.


The IEA have produced a useful PDF guide on this topic called 'Giving-your-business-the-human-factors-edge'.
