Over the past two years, the Center for Nuclear Security Science and Policy Initiatives (NSSPI) has been working with the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) in Bengaluru, India to organize a series of three discussions on the subject of human reliability programs in various industries of national importance. These discussions brought together national and international experts from various industries and academic disciplines to debate the matter. Now NSSPI and NIAS have published a report detailing the presentations, discussions, and conclusions arising from these meetings.
Human Reliability is widely used in fields requiring high standards of safety, such as aviation, petroleum and chemical processes, and nuclear industries. Human behavior always poses an inherent risk and can either positively or negatively affect performance in the workplace. A Human Reliability Program helps ensure that individuals who occupy positions with access to critical assets / operations / sites meet the highest standards so that they adhere to safety and security rules and regulations (reliability), ensure confidence in individuals based on their character (trustworthiness) and their physical and mental stability.
The report contains summaries of the meetings and abstracts for the presentations made by the experts, who ranged from industry executives and regulatory board directors to university professors of cognitive and behavioral science. With a focus on lessons learned, best practices, and research in the field, this collection of perspectives is intended to inform policies to enhance human reliability throughout these critical industries while taking into consideration unique cultural aspects.
As a next step, NSSPI and NIAS plan to publish an edited volume of the full length papers of the presentations from these three meetings.