Design Guidance for Computer-Based Procedures for Field Workers

Abstract

The paper-based procedures currently used for nearly all activities in the commercial nuclear power industry have a long history of ensuring safe operation of the plants. However, there is potential to greatly increase efficiency and safety by improving how the human interacts with the procedures, which can be achieved through the use of computer-based procedures (CBPs). A CBP system offers a vast variety of improvements, such as context driven job aids, integrated human performance tools and dynamic step presentation. As a step toward the goal of improving procedure use performance, the U.S. Department of Energy Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program researchers, together with the nuclear industry, have been investigating the feasibility of replacing current paper-based procedures with CBPs. The main purpose of the CBP research for nuclear field workers conducted at the Idaho National Laboratory was to provide design guidance to the nuclear industry to be used by both utilities and vendors. After studying existing design guidance for CBP systems, the researchers concluded that the majority of the existing guidance is intended for control room CBP systems, and does not necessarily address the challenges of designing CBP systems for instructions carried out in the field. Further, the guidance is often presented on a high level, which leaves the designer to interpret what is meant by the guidance and how to specifically implement it. The authors developed a design guidance to provide guidance specifically tailored to instructions that are carried out in the field based.

Demonstration of the Human and Technology Integration Guidance for the Design of Plant-Specific Advanced Automation and Data Visualization Techniques

“…Computer-based procedures (CBP) are digital versions of detailed procedures that include an embedded process workflow (Oxstrand, Le Blanc, and Bly, 2016). They display the same information as paper-based procedures on computer screens and mobile devices and can also show the real-time or near-real-time plant status, as well as provide just-in-time training, diagrams, and photographs.…”

Human and Technology Integration Evaluation of Advanced Automation and Data Visualization

“…These capabilities leverage machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to automate burdensome tasks to significantly increase efficiencies and reduce both system and human errors (Agarwal et al, 2022). There have been diverse use cases demonstrated in this area, including condition-based monitoring (Agarwal et al, 2022), automated outage risk and technical specification compliance (St Germain, Masterlark, Priddy, and Beck, 2019), automated work packages (Al Rashdan, Oxstrand, and Agarwal, 2016), computer-based procedures for field workers (Oxstrand, Le Blanc, and Bly, 2016), and automated fire watch (Al Rashdan, Griffel, and Powell, 2019). The application of these advanced capabilities provides a significant opportunity to reduce costs across plant support functions by transforming the way work is done at the plant, transitioning from labor-centric to technology-centric models.…”

Development of an Assessment Methodology That Enables the Nuclear Industry to Evaluate Adoption of Advanced Automation

“…The use of computer-based procedures will facilitate shift turnovers. If all data (e.g., work orders, procedures) is automatically stored and now accessible, the new crew does not have to hunt down the information[12]. Principle Short LabelReduce "information foraging" needed to accomplish shift turnovers.…”

“…The use of CBP would make this more efficient and decrease errors. See guidance for CBP above[12].The use of self-diagnostic and condition-based online monitoring should be used to minimize labor-intensive manually performed inspection, calibration, testing, and maintenance of plant assets [19]. Principle Short Label Remove labor-intensive activities where possible to improve surveillance activities…”