Human error classification and data collection

Analysis of human error data requires human error classification. As the human factors/reliability subject has developed so too has the topic of human error classification. The classifications vary considerably depending on whether it has been developed from a theoretical psychological approach to understanding human behavior or error, or whether it has been based on an empirical practical approach. This latter approach is often adopted by nuclear power plants that need to make practical improvements as soon as possible. This document will review aspects of human error classification and data collection in order to show where potential improvements could be made. It will attempt to show why there are problems with human error classification and data collection schemes and that these problems will not be easy to resolve. The Annex of this document contains the papers presented at the meeting. A separate abstract was prepared for each of these 12 papers. Refs, figs and tabs