Simulator-based study of human errors in nuclear power plant control room tasks

The purposes of this study were to empirically establish error rates for control selection and operation during the performance of proceduralized tasks in nuclear power plant control rooms during simulated casualties, and to compare the observed error rates with the human error probabilities (HEPs) presented in NUREG/CR-1278. Data were collected at full-scale, high-fidelity simulators from licensed operators undergoing requalification training and students in the final stages of training prior to licensing. The data were collected using a Performance Measurement System (PMS), which records control manipulations and plant parameters. The basic HEPs in NUREG/CR-1278 were adjusted for the effects of selected performance shaping factors, such as stress and the improper use of procedures, as outlined in that document. The error rates obtained in this study were then compared with the adjusted HEPs, and were found to be largely in agreement