Human error reduction program in SilTerra Malaysia Sdn Bhd: applying Canonical action research (CAR)

• Main Author: Mohd Hazmuni, Saidin
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English; English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: HF5549-5549.5 Personnel Management. Employment; QA299.6-433 Analysis
• Online Access: https://etd.uum.edu.my/9602/1/s95700_01.pdf; https://etd.uum.edu.my/9602/2/s95700_02.pdf; https://etd.uum.edu.my/9602/

SilTerra Malaysia Sdn Bhd (SMSB) is a Malaysian’s premier wafer fabrication, a high technology company owns by Khazanah Nasional Berhad. Although there are engineering platforms and automation systems in place, human errors still occur among the wafer fabrication personnel, causing a huge loss every year. This research aimed to determine the factors that contribute to human errors. The factors then serve as the input for establishing SilTerra Small Group Activity (SSGA) to reduce human error excursion events in the Manufacturing Department. Canonical action research (CAR) was used as the basis in the research methodology. This research employed both the quantitative and the qualitative approaches, whereby 119 technicians participated in a survey that represented 25% of the total manufacturing population in SMSB. The survey was conducted to identify the factors that contribute to human errors in the Manufacturing Department. In addition, secondary data and feedback from the focus group that consisted of top management personnel were gathered to support the understanding of human error contributors. The research findings indicated that there are two main Human Error Classifications in SMSB, and they are Decision Error as well as Perceptual Error. The SSGA program, which has been continuously conducted, has shown a significant reduction in human error excursion events. The theoretical contribution in the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) applied in this research has significantly contributed to a meaningful result. This research focused mainly on human errors contributed by errors and violations. Other factors such as environmental factors, condition of operators and personal factors can be investigated in future studies. Besides, it will be interesting to extend the research to other types of manufacturing industries.