Operator´s knowledge, skill and know-how during the use of emergency procedures: design, training and cultural aspects

During accidents, safety depends on the intelligent implementation of operating procedures. The implications of this statement on procedure design and operators´ training are analyzed. The question is raised as to whether some cultural blocks limit the extent of possible improvements. The information presented marks a particular stage in the work of the Research and Development Division of a French company on the design and assessment of emergency and abnormal operating procedures. It is based on on-site psychosociological analyses of control activities and on ergonomic analyses of the behavior of operators under emergency and abnormal operating conditions on full-scale simulators.<>