Practical applications of human reliability analyses

The author discusses some ways in which HRA (human reliability analysis) results have been used to: (1) identify error-likely situations in industrial facilities; and (2) assess the benefits of proposed improvements. Typically, an HRA identifies ways to improve the man-machine interface; the operating, maintenance, and/or emergency procedures; the hardware design; and the management systems related to the task being performed. It is noted that, in many cases, only a qualitative HRA need be performed; the error-likely situations and possible improvements are obvious. In other cases, the HRA must be quantified so that decision makers can judge whether the probability of hyman errors is tolerable and whether the benefits of system changes outweigh the costs. It is concluded that HRA is a practical tool that should be one element of any company's risk management program.<>