From February 28 through March 3, the Center for Nuclear Security Science and Policy Initiatives (NSSPI) conducted a core-group meeting on human reliability programs in industries of national importance in conjunction with the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) in Bengaluru, India. The meeting was the sixth meeting held between subject matter experts from the US and participants from Indian industries, government, universities, research institutes, and other stakeholders. These meetings have been organized and led by NSSPI Director Dr. Sunil Chirayath and Dr. Magapu Sai Baba of NIAS.
Human reliability programs are essential in fields requiring high standards of safety and security, where human behavior can pose a risk through error or malicious actions. These programs, also known as Fitness for Duty programs, can help to minimize the risk posed by human performance through screening and behavioral observation.
The four-day meeting focused on best practices of human reliability program elements practiced in various Indian high-risk industries and in US nuclear power plants. In addition to Dr. Chirayath, subject matter experts from the US were Mr. John Crenshaw, formerly of the South Texas Project Nuclear Power Plant in Bay City, Texas, and Mr. Michael Covert, current supervisor for the Fitness for Duty program at the Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant in Glen Rose, Texas. Speakers from the Indian side included Dr. Sai Baba, Dr. N. Ramammoorthy, and Dr. R. Nagapa of NIAS, Mr. S. Seth, Mr. M. Seshiah, and Ms. N. Kanagalakshmi of the Indian Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Former DAE officers, Dr. K.L. Ramakumar and Dr. K. Roy, Mr. D.K. Shukla of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), Former AERB officer Mr. A.R. Sundararajan, Dr. M.K. Mandal of the Indian Institute of Technology-Kharagpur, Dr. R. Kazi of Jamia Milia Islamia Central University, Dr. A.X. Raj of the Loyola Institute of Business Management, Dr. S.K. Namdeo of the Indian Institute of Science, Dr. A. Ray of the Indian Institute of Petroleum, Mr. A.V. Lele of the Institute for Defence Studies Analyses, and former Indian Airforce Air Marshal Mr. K.K. Nowhar.
The group will meet for one final meeting in Fall 2023 to formulate their recommendations for implementing Human Reliability programs in critical industries and organizations.