An Application of Cognitive Workload and Situational Awareness Assessment in Human Safety Demonstration of NPP

Abstract

This paper provides a brief summary of cognitive workload and situational awareness assessment methodologies that are available to support nuclear power plant human factors assessment and validation activities. These methodologies are reviewed in respect to their strengths and weakness in supporting the ongoing/future human factors program for the NPP project. This paper also describes how the assessment of cognitive workload and situational awareness is an integral aspect of the work to substantiate human safety claimed in NPP. However, these methodologies require more detailed design and operating information of the NPP project. Due to the unavailability of detailed design information and operating procedures required for high fidelity task simulation in design stage, cognitive workload and situation awareness are assessed through the assessment of related Performance Shaping Factors through human reliability method.