Human reliability and plant operating efficiency: Are 12-hour work schedules cause for concern

Conference · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States)

OSTI ID:7023657

Baker, T L ^[1]

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1. Light Sciences, Inc., Braintree, MA (United States)

Since the introduction of 12-h shifts to the US nuclear power industry only 8 yr ago, compressed workweek schedules have proliferated among operations departments at a phenomenal rate. Many plants that continue to use 8-h shifts during normal operations routinely change to scheduled 12-h shifts during refueling or maintenance outages. The most critical issue in the use of extended work shifts is whether alertness, physical stamina, or mental performance are compromised to the point of reducing safety or efficiency of nuclear power plant operation. Laboratory and field research sponsored by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health suggests that alertness, measured by self-ratings, and mental performance, measured by computer-based performance tests, are impaired on 12-h shifts compared with 8-h shifts. In contrast to these findings, plant operating efficiency and operator performance have been rated as improved in two field studies conducted in operating nuclear power plants (Fast Flux Test Facility, Washington and Ontario Hydro, Canada). A recent Electric Power Research Institute review of nuclear industry experience with 12-h shifts also suggests an overwhelmingly positive rating of 12-h schedules from both control room operators and management.

• OSTI ID: 7023657
• Report Number(s): CONF-920606-; CODEN: TANSAO; TRN: 92-037507
• Journal Information: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States), Vol. 65; Conference: American Nuclear Society annual meeting, Boston, MA (United States), 7-12 Jun 1992; ISSN 0003-018X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
BWR TYPE REACTORS
REACTOR SAFETY
PWR TYPE REACTORS
REACTOR OPERATORS
ALTERNATIVE WORK SCHEDULES
BEHAVIOR
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
EPRI
HUMAN FACTORS
PERFORMANCE
REACTOR FUELING
REACTOR MAINTENANCE
REACTOR OPERATION
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
WORKING CONDITIONS
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
ANIMALS
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
MAINTENANCE
MAMMALS
MAN
OPERATION
PERSONNEL
POWER REACTORS
PRIMATES
PUBLIC UTILITIES
REACTORS
SAFETY
THERMAL REACTORS
VERTEBRATES
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS
220900* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Reactor Safety
210100 - Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Boiling Water Cooled
210200 - Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Nonboiling Water Cooled