Incorporating Human Factors in Decommissioning Projects - Opportunities for Adapting Application

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Eric Davey

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to promote discussion concerning the needs and opportunities for adapting the current nuclear industry model of human factors practice to better accommodate the characteristics and needs of decommissioning projects.


Over the past twenty years, the nuclear industry has progressively evolved and formalized the application of human factors methods to improve system and human performance in the operation of power plants and facilities. The standards, guidance and work practices established have evolved with respect to a 'design' and 'operation' application emphasis.


Decommissioning projects represent the final phase of a facility lifetime and exhibit some differences in characteristics from the 'design' or 'operation' project phases. Consequently, some adaptation of current human factors practices may be beneficial in applying human factors methods to the decommissioning phase for a facility.


This paper begins by discussing the human performance priorities and characteristics of decommissioning projects. Next the similarities and differences in characteristics of' design, operations, and decommissioning project phases are reviewed, and the suitability of the current human factors model elements in application to decommissioning projects are discussed. Lastly some suggestions on how the design-based human factors application model may be adapted to better meet decommissioning project needs are outlined.

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