ML26072A310
| ML26072A310 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/13/2026 |
| From: | Brian Green NRC/NRR/DRO |
| To: | |
| References | |
| Download: ML26072A310 (11) | |
Text
NRC HUMAN FACTORS BASICS BRIAN GREEN, PH.D.
SR. TECHNICAL ADVISOR FOR HUMAN FACTORS Presented by Brian Green 3/16/2026 1
AGENDA
- 1. Quick Overview of Human Factors Regulations
- 2. Key Regulatory Guidance
- 3. Insights About Key Regulatory Guidance
- 4. New Regulations and Key Guidance for Advanced Reactors 3/16/2026 2
REGULATORY BASIS & KEY GUIDANCE FOR HUMAN FACTORS
- 10 CFR 50.34(f)(2)(iii) - state-of-the-art human factors principles
- General Design Criterion 19 - a control room to safely operate the plant
- In reality: Each licensee resolved the TMI action items on a plant-specific basis resulting in some nuanced differences.
- NUREG-0800: Standard Review Plan Chapter 18 - Human Factors
- NUREG-0711: Human Factors Engineering Program Review Model
- NUREG-0700: Human-System Interface Design Review Guidelines Recipe Taste Test
NUREG-0800 STANDARD REVIEW PLAN (SRP)
CHAPTER 18 HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING SRP is used by NRC staff to find specific acceptance criteria associated with various licensing activities NRC applicants and licensees must conduct an evaluation of the design against the SRP (10 CFR 50.34(3)(h)) - if there are difference from the SRP they must identify them and provide an analysis about how what theyre doing provides an acceptable method of complying with regulations.
Chapter 18 contains references to many human factors documents.
Two key documents are NUREG-0711 and NUREG-0700.
Most other HFE guidance documents are derived from them or expand upon the concepts described in them.
3/16/2026
HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING PROGRAM REVIEW MODEL NUREG-0711 PHILOSOPHY
- NRC staff guidance to review an applicant or licensees HFE design program
- It is NOT an instruction manual on how to set up an HFE program, although it is sometimes used as such.
- Marries systems engineering principles with human information processing model
EXAMPLE FROM NUREG-0700 HSI DESIGN GUIDELINES
- Applicants usually commit using NUREG-0700 as a style guide as part of the design process controlled by NUREG-0711.
NUREG-0700 NUREG-0711
Planning & Analysis Design Verification and Validation Implementation & Operation
THOUGHTS ABOUT CHAPTER 18, NUREG-0711 & 0700 Historically:
- Has worked well for most modification under part 50 (but has had some challenges for large scale digital modernization efforts)
- Worked well for new reactors under Part 52 (i.e. AP1000 and NuScale SMR)
Goin forward:
- Chapter 18, NUREG-0711 and NUREG-0700 will continue to be used for large light water reviews.
- However, may be more than what is needed for modern advanced reactor designs with smaller risk profiles We can provide a reasonable assurance of adequate protection using a lighter touch.
- Developed new regulation and guidance for advanced reactors called 10 CFR Part 53 (currently in draft form) 3/16/2026
The plant design must reflect state-of-the-art human factors principles for safe and reliable performance in all locations that human activities are expected for performing or supporting the continued availability of plant safety or emergency response functions.
[proposed (§ 53.730(a)]
- Technology neutral, risk-informed, performance based
- Flexible for new features (load following, remote operations, autonomy)
- Mandates FRA/OER/ConOps
- Proposes Self-Reliant Mitigation Facility Criteria Series of tests to show that a facility can reasonably manage normal and emergency ops without human intervention New approach to operator licensing 3/16/2026 NEW DRAFT REGULATION FOR ADVANCED REACTORS -10 CFR PART 53
1.
Characterization - establishing a documented understanding of the design and its operation from an HFE perspective 2.
Targeting - identifying aspects of the design and operation for HFE review 3.
Screening - selecting HFE program elements / activities for review in conjunction with each target 4.
Grading - selecting specific standards and guidance documents to be applied to the review 5.
Assembling the review plan - integrating results of prior steps to produce a plan that supports an efficient, risk-informed, reasonable assurance determination 3/16/2026 DRO-ISG-2023-03 DEVELOPMENT OF SCALABLE HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING REVIEW PLANS