ATHEANA

ATHEANA

Outline of the ATHEANA methodology

ATHEANA (A Technique for Human Event Analysis) is a methodology used in the field of human reliability analysis (HRA) to evaluate the likelihood of human errors in complex systems, particularly in nuclear power plants. It is designed to identify and analyze human actions that could lead to accidents or incidents in high-risk industries.

Overview

ATHEANA was developed to address the limitations of earlier HRA methods by incorporating a more comprehensive understanding of human performance and the context in which errors occur. It emphasizes the importance of contextual factors and performance shaping factors (PSFs) that influence human behavior.

Methodology

The ATHEANA methodology involves several key steps:

1. Define the Scope

The first step is to define the scope of the analysis, including the specific human actions and system operations to be evaluated. This involves identifying the scenarios where human errors could have significant consequences.

2. Identify Human Actions

In this step, analysts identify the specific human actions that are critical to the safe operation of the system. This includes both routine and non-routine actions that could lead to system failures.

3. Analyze Contextual Factors

ATHEANA places a strong emphasis on understanding the context in which human actions occur. Analysts evaluate the contextual factors that could influence human performance, such as work environment, organizational culture, and task complexity.

4. Evaluate Performance Shaping Factors

Performance shaping factors (PSFs) are conditions that can affect human performance. Analysts assess PSFs such as stress, fatigue, training, and experience to determine their impact on the likelihood of human errors.

5. Quantify Human Error Probabilities

The final step involves quantifying the probabilities of human errors occurring in the identified scenarios. This is done using a combination of expert judgment, historical data, and probabilistic risk assessment techniques.

Applications

ATHEANA is primarily used in the nuclear industry to enhance the safety and reliability of nuclear power plants. It is also applicable to other high-risk industries, such as aviation, chemical processing, and oil and gas.

Advantages

ATHEANA offers several advantages over traditional HRA methods:

• It provides a more comprehensive analysis by considering a wide range of contextual and performance shaping factors.
• It helps identify potential latent errors and systemic issues that could contribute to human errors.
• It supports the development of targeted risk management strategies to mitigate human error.

Limitations

Despite its advantages, ATHEANA has some limitations:

• It can be resource-intensive and time-consuming due to the detailed analysis required.
• It relies heavily on expert judgment, which can introduce subjectivity into the analysis.

Related pages

• Human reliability analysis
• Probabilistic risk assessment
• Nuclear safety
• Human factors engineering