Control-room operator alertness and performance in nuclear power plants

Technical Report · Thu Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:7077701

Baker, T l; Campbell, S C; Linder, K D; Moore-Ede, M C ^[1]

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1. Circadian Technologies, Inc., Boston, MA (USA)

All industries requiring round-the-clock operation must deal with the potential problem of impaired alertness, especially among those who work night shifts. In the nuclear power industry, maintaining optimal alertness and performance of control room operators at all times of day is critical. Many of the toot causes of reduced alertness are straightforward and can be easily remedied with tangible solutions; this manual both discusses the reasons for the problem and suggests solutions. The manual surveys factors that influence operator alertness and performance, including shift schedules, caffeine and alcohol use, diet and family lifestyle factors, the control room enviornment, staffing and overtime practices, and work task design. Specific recommendations are made in each of these areas. The project team, consisting of experts on managing round-the-clock operations and scientists who study human alertness and performance, prepared this manual using the latest scientific research and direct input from shift supervisors and operators via interviews, on-site observation, and questionnaires distributed to every nuclear power station. The material contained within is relevant to shiftwork managers, shift supervisors, and operators, each of whom plays a vital role in maintaining optimal alertness and performance on the job. 90 refs., 35 figs.

• Research Organization: Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (USA); Circadian Technologies, Inc., Boston, MA (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: EPRI
• OSTI ID: 7077701
• Report Number(s): EPRI-NP-6748; TRN: 90-010284
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
CONTROL ROOMS
HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
REACTOR OPERATORS
BIOLOGICAL FATIGUE
PERFORMANCE
BIOCHEMISTRY
DESIGN
HUMAN FACTORS
MAN-MACHINE SYSTEMS
MANAGEMENT
MANUALS
PHYSIOLOGY
PSYCHOLOGY
REACTOR CONTROL SYSTEMS
REACTOR OPERATION
REACTOR SAFETY
RECOMMENDATIONS
RELIABILITY
SOCIOLOGY
TASK SCHEDULING
TRAINING
CHEMISTRY
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DATA PROCESSING
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENGINEERING
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
OPERATION
PERSONNEL
POWER PLANTS
PROCESSING
SAFETY
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
220900* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Reactor Safety
220400 - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Control Systems