HUMAN FACTORS REVIEW OF POWER PLANT MAINTAINABILITY.

The human factors aspects of five nuclear powr plants and four fossil fuel plants were evaluated using such methods as a checklist guided observation system, structured interviews with maintenance pesonnel, direct observations of maintenance tasks, reviews of procedures, and analyses of maintenance errors or accidents by means of the ″critical incident″ technique. The study revealed a wide variety of human factors problem areas, most of which are extensively photodocumented. The study recommends that a more systematic and formal approach be adopted to ensure that future power plants are ″human engineered″ to the needs of maintenance personnel.