ABSTRACT
Human-machine systems have become more and more risky and tightly coupled. Component failures can result in unacceptable disasters that not only affect workers and plants, but also neighbors and the environment. System Reliability Analysis has made noticeable progress in assessing technical component reliability, but the introduction of Human Reliability Analysis is a more of difficult task. This chapter attempts to define human error that should not necessarily be attributed to incompetence, but is considered a product of conflicts between the human and the physical or the social artifact. An overview of studies on human error commission, detection, and recovery is presented from which lessons are drawn and guidelines are provided for the design of operator support.
