Setting the standards in the human performance simulator

Human Performance at Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station has been dramatically improved by creating a dynamic learning environment that combines traditional classroom instruction with a human performance learning simulator. All permanent employees and supplemental employees are required to attend the course prior to the start of a refueling outage. Classroom instruction covers the fundamentals of human performance and the simulator provides opportunities in a training setting to practice techniques and receive real time coaching and feedback. The simulator is designed to drive home four key concepts; Procedure Adherence/Verification Practices, Stop When Unsure, Situational Awareness and Foreign Material Exclusion/Housekeeping. Real time coaching is provided by instructors and peers so that by the time the students complete the simulator they have seen the tools demonstrated, practiced the tools and received feedback on their performance. By totally immersing the student in the concepts and practical application of error reduction tool usage the students are able to immediately integrate the techniques into their daily work practices. The key to success is the passion for excellence in human performance that the instructors model. It is noted that personnel have volunteered their time outside of their normal duties to support this effort. The quality of maintenance and outage support activities is reflected in the excellent plant performance following completion of the refueling outage. The Operations and Maintenance Departments at Nine Mile Point have taken a lead role in the development and delivery of the Human Performance simulator and set the standard for the site.