Human Reliability Assessment

This chapter discusses the nature, role, and maturity of human reliability assessment (HRA). The origins of the approach are described, and the generic process of HRA is defined, focusing on its core components, namely, task analysis, error identification, and quantification of human error probabilities. Validation of methods is also summarized. Contemporary issues such as errors of commission, second generation HRA methods, and the relation between HRA and safety culture are also outlined. The conclusion is that HRA is sufficiently mature to help in many industries, though its evolution is far from over. Keywords: human error; human reliability assessment; human error probabilities; data; risk assessment; quantification; errors of commission; safety culture

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