The human factor in nuclear plant design and operation EU-funded scientists have delivered groundbreaking recommendations for the safe design and operation of future nuclear power plants. These were based on simultaneous consideration of human, organisational and technical factors. Energy © Thinkstock The safe and effective operation of nuclear power plants is integrally related to the synergistic integration of human and organisational factors in the design of nuclear installations. People carry out functions supported by technology. Organisational constructs can either impede or support the effective use of equipment and instrumentation. EU funding of the project 'Man-machine-organisation through innovative orientations for nuclear' (MMOTION) facilitated the identification of a research roadmap related to man-machine-organisation (MMO) and safety for the medium term of up to five years. It is the first EURATOM project dealing with human factors so important to nuclear safety. In addition, the study took into account actions and attitudes of national and international regulators and associated regulations, market forces, and education and training programmes. The project targeted the design and operation of Generation II (Gen II) and Generation III (Gen III) nuclear plants. Project members identified 26 research topics as most relevant to European needs. These were then grouped into four research programmes (RPs) on the basis of stakeholders' needs related to nuclear safety, plant design and operation, and instrumentation and control (I&C) component development. Risk-informed decision making in design and operation, the first RP, balanced the human and technical factors related to minimising operational risks. Research on culture and practices for safety, the second RP, aimed to elucidate the organisational conditions that are prerequisites for safely functioning Gen II and Gen III nuclear plants. In order to facilitate the effective design or update of I&C, the third RP focused on integration of human and organisational aspects into technology systems. Finally, the fourth RP concentrated on guiding industry in development of the specific I&C-related systems required by nuclear and other high-risk industries. MMOTION laid out the MMO research roadmap to achieve safe operation of Gen II and Gen III plants by considering human, technical and organisational components simultaneously. The project is the first EURATOM project to deal with the human dimension and MMOTION will no doubt have important and profound impact on the future of nuclear energy.
