The development and evaluation of human factors guidelines for the review of advanced human-system interfaces

The main control room, the monitor and control center of nuclear plant, integrates quantities of Human System Interfaces (HSIs), with which, the operators maintain the plant running safely and effectively under different working conditions[1]. Human Factors Verification and Validation (HF V&V) is one of the twelve elements of a Human Factor Engineering (HFE) program according to NUREG-0711. Research on V&V methods has been carried out for years, however, the V&V implementation in domestic nuclear power plants looks forward to being consummated. For HPR1000, the third generation of nuclear power technology with China’s self-owned independent intellectual property right[2], HF V&V activities include HSI HFE Design Verification (DV), HSI Task Support Verification (TSV), Partial Validation (PV), Integrated System Validation (ISV) and Human Engineering Discrepancy (HED) management. The V&V methods introduced in this paper gives an executable and effective way to evaluate whether the design conforms to HFE design principles and that the adequacy of the HSIs enable plant personnel to successfully perform their tasks and other operational goals, assuring plant safety. With these methods, plenty of suggestions based on the HEDs generated from different V&V activities are applied into the design of HSIs, and afterwards, an optimization for the main control room of HPR1000 will be achieved.

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Effects of COVID-19 on Sense of Smell: Human Factors/Ergonomics Considerations

Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society ◽

10.1177/0018720821990162 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 001872082199016

Author(s):

E. Leslie Cameron ◽

Per Møller ◽

Keith S. Karn

Keyword(s):

Human Factors ◽

Olfactory Dysfunction ◽

System Communication ◽

Human System ◽

Sense Of Smell ◽

Primary Means ◽

Human Sense ◽

Smell Loss

Objective We review the effects of COVID-19 on the human sense of smell (olfaction) and discuss implications for human-system interactions. We emphasize how critical smell is and how the widespread loss of smell due to COVID-19 will impact human-system interaction. Background COVID-19 reduces the sense of smell in people who contract the disease. Thus far, olfaction has received relatively little attention from human factors/ergonomics professionals. While smell is not a primary means of human-system communication, humans rely on smell in many important ways related to both quality of life and safety. Method We briefly review and synthesize the rapidly expanding literature through September 2020 on the topic of smell loss caused by COVID-19. We interpret findings in terms of their relevance to human factors/ergonomics researchers and practitioners. Results Since March 2020 dozens of articles have been published that report smell loss in COVID-19 patients. The prevalence and duration of COVID-19-related smell loss is still under investigation, but the available data suggest that it may leave many people with long-term deficits and distortions in sense of smell. Conclusion We suggest that the human factors/ergonomics community could become more aware of the importance of the sense of smell and focus on accommodating the increasing number of people with reduced olfactory performance. Application We present examples of how olfaction can augment human-system communication and how human factors/ergonomics professionals might accommodate people with olfactory dysfunction. While seemingly at odds, both of these goals can be achieved.

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