Introduction:

Human Reliability Analysis (HRA) is the method by which the probability of a system-required human action, task, or job will be completed successfully within the required time period and that no extraneous human actions detrimental to system performance will be performed. Results of HRAs are often used as inputs to probabilistic risk assessments, which analyze the reliability of entire systems by decomposing the system into its constituent components, including hardware, software, and human operators.

Benefits:

• provides quantitative estimates of human error potential
• identifies weaknesses in operator interfaces with system
• demonstrates quantitatively improvements in human interfaces
• improves system evaluations by including human elements
• demonstrates quantitative prediction of human behavior

Capabilities:

• human performance modeling and evaluation
• event tree modeling of human performance in complex systems
• extensive expertise with THERP (Technique for Human Error Rate Prediction) (SNL developed), and ATHEANA (A Technique for Human Event Analysis) techniques
• application experience in weapons assembly and use, aviation, nuclear power, and rocket launch operations
• experience with ARRAMIS (SNL developed) event-tree modeling tool

Experience and Customers:

1. Sandia was instrumental in developing the Technique for Human Error Rate Prediction (THERP) for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s. The Sandia HRA effort also fully supported the post-Three Mile Island PRAs performed throughout the nuclear power industry.

2. Sandia was a major player in developing A Technique for Human Event Analysis (ATHEANA) for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in the mid to late-1990s. ATHEANA goes beyond THERP in its capability to account for and predict human errors of commission in complex systems.

3.  HRA techniques have been used extensively to analyze human errors made in the assembly, disassembly, and testing of warheads in the DOE complex.

4.  Human reliability analysis has been applied to the evaluation of an advanced, unique commercial airframe design in emergency scenarios for the FAA.

References:

1. Miller, D.P. and A.D. Swain, Human error and human reliability. Chap. 2.8 in G. Salvendy (Ed.), Handbook of Human Factors, New York: Wiley, 1987.

2. Miller, D.P., Peer review comments on draft NUREG/CR-1278, SAND85-1032, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, May 1985.

3. Miller, D.P., and M.K. Comer, Process evaluation of the Human Reliability Data Bank. Twelfth Water Reactor Safety Research Information Meeting, National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD, Oct. 22-26, 1984, NUREG/CP-0058, US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Wash. DC, January 1985.

4. Comer, M.K., D.P. Miller, and M.D. Donovan, Human reliability data bank: Feasibility study.  In Proceedings of the Human Factors Society 28th Annual Meeting. Human Factors Society, Santa Monica, October 1984.

5. Miller, D.P., Concept development of the Human Reliability Data Bank. In Vol. 6 of Eleventh Water Reactor Safety Research Information Meeting, National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD, Oct. 24-28, 1983, NUREG/CP-0048, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Wash., DC, January 1984.

6. Comer, M.K., and D.P. Miller, Human reliability data bank: Pilot implementation.  In Proceedings of the Human Factors Society 27th Annual Meeting.Human Factors Society, Santa Monica, October 1983.

7. Comer, M.K., E.J. Kozinsky, J.S. Eckel, and D.P. Miller, Human Reliability Data Bank for nuclear power plant operations , NUREG/CR-2744/2 of 2, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, February 1983.

8. Kolb, G.J., D.M. Kunsman, B.J. Bell, N.L. Brisbin, D.D. Carlson, S.W. Hatch, D.P. Miller, B.J. Roscoe, D.W. Stack, R.B. Worrell, J. Galyean, and J.A. Murphy, Interim reliability evaluation program: Analysis of the Arkansas Nuclear One-Unit 1 Nuclear Power Plant, Vol.s 1 and 2, Sandia National Laboratories, NUREG/CR-2787, US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Wash. DC, June 1982.