New methods for human reliability analysis

A wide variety of methods for human reliability analysis have been developed. A major thrust has been to quantify the chance of human error within probabilistic risk analysis. However, when compared with human unsafe acts in real events (especially human actions that lead to serious accidents), current analyses appear deficient. The character of the real events is decidedly different than the results of analysis. New, second generation methods have been developed in recent years (CREAM, ATHEANA, MERMOS and others). These methods view the context in which the human must operate as a critical element. Search schemes have been developed to identify potentially challenging contexts (often beyond those normally considered in risk analysis). New methods for quantification are evolving.