A new organization-oriented technique of human error analysis in digital NPPs: Model and classification framework

Abstract

In nuclear power plants (NPPs), man-machine interfaces (MMIs) are being transformed from conventional panels to computer workstations. Therefore, operators’ behavior and performance shaping factors (PSFs) in modern main control rooms (MCRs) differs from what they do in a conventional one. New human error, error mechanism and PSFs etc. are introduced into digital control systems (DCS). The conventional human error analysis (HEA) methods cannot meet new requirements. So it is important to establish a new technique of HEA for investigating human failure events in digital NPPs. In order to investigate and analyze human errors and to trace organizational root causes in digital NPPs, an Organization-oriented Technique of Human Error Analysis (OTHEA) was established. At this first paper, an organization-oriented conceptual model of HEA was established. Furthermore, the classification framework of HEA was developed based on the established conceptual model of HEA, including classification of human error, PSFs, psychological error mechanisms (PEMs), error recovery failures (ERFs) and safety barriers. It provides a theoretical guidance and practical support for the investigation of human failure events in digital NPPs.