Human factors planning for nuclear plant decommissioning

A new opportunity is arising for the application of human factors principles in the nuclear industry related to plant decommissioning. This paper describes the application of human factors in the planning for the Shippingport Station Decommissioning Project (SSDP). As a systematic basis to assure proper preparation for the SSDP, the Management Oversight and Risk Tree (MORT) techniques were utilized to form the basis for a readiness model. The core ingredients of readiness -- property, people, and procedures -- were utilized to develop a readiness tree. Other applications of human factors techniques on the SSDP have included a task analysis to establish the training program for operations personnel, a procedures validation program, and a computer based configuration control system. Future applications at SSDP will include risk analysis for selected evolutions and the use of human factors methods for enhanced maintenance effectiveness to contribute to the reduction of radiation exposure. The results of the SSDP will be reported to the industry through a technology transfer program. It is expected that human factors planning will contribute to the safe and effective completion of the project