Modeling and simulation of human errors in plant operations

We have developed a cognitive information processing model that incorporates the states of mind and body in order to simulate a plant operator's behavior under abnormal situations. This model enables simulation of human errors under various conditions. As an illustrative example, oversights in using two graphic panels designed for monitoring a boiler plant were examined. The results coincided qualitatively with observations of actual plant operations. This operator model can be used to analyze various types of human errors from the viewpoint of cognitive information processing and to study how to cope with different situations.