International human factors experience

The author examines the various issues involved in the safety enhancement of nuclear power plants worldwide in connection with human factor engineering. In particular, he considers the concentration of the International Atomic Energy Agency on the following issues: (1) operator qualification, education and training to increase the ´nuclear safety culture´ in nuclear power plant operation; (2) human performance requirements; (3) the man-machine interface, with particular emphasis on the balance between automation and direct human action and in the need for additional operator support systems in the nuclear power plant control room; and (4) human error data collection and modelling.<>