Human reliability analysis for control room upgrades

This paper presents work in progress on a project to develop a process for integrating human reliability analysis (HRA) into the control room design process used in nuclear power plant modernization and upgrade projects. Human factors, human reliability analysis, probabilistic risk assessment, and design experts at a Swedish nuclear power plant were interviewed, resulting in six principles for the use of HRA in design. These principles are: (i) early implementation, (ii) tailored methods, (iii) scalable methods, (iv) better use of qualitative information, (v) HRA design criteria, and (vi) better HRA sensitivity to human-machine interface issues. Future efforts will center on adapting HRA techniques to meet these principles and implementing HRA as part of a plant upgrade process.