Journal of Radiation Safety and Measurement

Journal of Radiation Safety and Measurement

The evaluation of control room operator errors in a 5 MW research reactor using Systematic Human Error Reduction and Prediction Approach (SHERPA)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Kobra Harandeh 1
Mohsen kheradmand-Saadi 2
Ehsan Zarifi 3
1 Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Nuclear Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 Nuclear Science and Technology Institute, Nuclear Reactor and Safety school, Tehran, Iran
10.22052/rsm.2025.255166.1074
Abstract
Human factor plays the most important role in the occurrence of accidents. One of the systems in which human errors can lead to a catastrophic accident is nuclear reactors. This article aims to investigate the relationship between accidents and human errors in a control room of a 5 MW pool type research reactor. After performing the interview with operators of the control room, the duties were identified and analyzed by the task hierarchy technique. Human errors in the control room were investigated using SHERPA method. Results showed that the most repeated errors were related to misunderstanding and misrecognizing the situation whilst inability to observe and collect useful information were in the second place. In order to reduce human errors, improve employee performance and prevent errors caused by human factors, control solutions are proposed. This includes appropriate work instructions, improving the quality of employee training and compliance with safety rules and regulations.
Keywords
Human Error
SHERPA technique
control room
research reactor
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