Human Factors in Nuclear
Risktec has extensive experience of integrating Human Factors (HF) to support the design, commissioning, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of nuclear facilities in the UK and internationally.
Risktec’s HF team uses validated tools and techniques to provide proportionate Human Factors support, ensuring systems are optimised to support user needs and maintain safety.
Our areas of expertise
- Design, construction, installation and commissioning of new build nuclear power stations including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
- Fuel handling, management and transportation
- Retrieval, packaging and storage of radioactive waste
- Decommissioning of nuclear facilities
Our services
- Human Factors Integration (HFI)
- Intelligent Customer provision
- Design and safety case assurance
- Human Factors substantiation of safety claims
- HAZOP / Hazard identification and analysis
- Design verification and validation
- Procedural design and development
- Training and assurance of personnel competence
- Support to Site Acceptance Testing (SAT)
- Allocation of function
Our Experience
- Task analysis and human error identification
- Human reliability analysis (HEART, THERP)
- Control room design and assessment against relevant standards (e.g. EEMUA 201, ISO 11064)
- Physical ergonomics assessment
- Workspace design and work environment
- Human Machine Interface (HMI) design and assessment
- Alarm design and management
- Safety culture and behavioural safety
- Accident and Incident investigation support
Human Factors nuclear projects
Examples of previous Human Factors nuclear projects conducted by Risktec’s HF team are outlined below.
New Build
- Risktec conducted Human Factors assessments and design validation of the Emergency Diesel Generators for a nuclear reactor new build.
- Risktec provided Human Factors support to the Generic Design Assessment process for the design of a SMR including input to the operating philosophy.
- Risktec provided Human Factors support and Human Factors intelligent customer oversight to the concept design stage of the development of a new hydrogen facility at a major nuclear site.
Decommissioning
- Risktec provided Human Factors practitioner and Intelligent Customer roles across twelve sites in support of waste, decommissioning, and asset management.
- Risktec provided Human Factors support to the facility safety case for several site facilities including a Fuel Bunker Building and Metallurgical Laboratory.
- Risktec delivered Human Factors reviews and assessments of several control rooms (pre-conditioning facility, waste encapsulation facility and security control room) for a major nuclear decommissioning site.
- Risktec developed investigation guidance for accidents and incidents including causal analysis techniques.
Nuclear Waste Storage
- Risktec delivered HFI activities as part of the engineering design and safety case to support commissioning of a new facility for management and long-term storage of radioactive waste.