A scrutinized analysis method of the human error potential due to the introduction of new digital devices to nuclear power plants

Abstract

This paper describes a new method proposed for human error analysis (HEA) in case of the introduction of new digital devices to nuclear power plants (NPPs). Preventing human errors has been a main issue especially for the safety of NPPs. The hi-touch human interface must be proved to be safe before being introduced to NPPs. Although many good HEA methods are available, a scrutinized one is inevitable against to the new types of errors, for utilizing new digital devices and their human interfaces in NPPs. All possible interactions between the device and the user through the designed interfaces are investigated by the term of Interaction Segment (IS), and Error Segment (ES) is assessed by human factors criteria and their consequences to predict the human error potential (HEP). Results such as a list of ISs and ESs and their combinatorial sequences are provided to the human interface designers for qualifying the digital devices to NPPs. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.