Implementation of Human–Machine Interface Design Principles to Prevent Errors Committed by NPP Operators

Abstract

An approach to prevention of human errors committed by operators during monitoring and control of process systems is considered in the present paper. The purpose of the proposed approach is to eliminate the causes of errors and/or to reduce its impact on personnel activity when managing a complex process object. The reports on abnormal events occurred at nuclear power plants were used as a source of information about personnel errors. The events that took place at NPPs in 2009–2016 were analyzed. The events caused by deliberate violation of rules and regulations, lack of training and a poor safety culture were not included in this analysis. In order to categorize human errors, we used two criteria – sequence of operator task performance consisting of five stages and kind of error. These classification criteria form a two-dimensional matrix. Then, twenty-eight typical NPP operator errors extracted from the analysis and publications have been mapped on two-dimensional space. Based on analysis of standards and guidelines in the area of ergonomics and HMI design and taking into account the best practice, the seven principles and methods for error prevention have been proposed. It was shown which kinds of errors can be pre-vented by the use of particular principle. Thus, a set of rules are elaborated that allow HMI designer to choose the way to reduce the risk of human errors.