Development of Human Reliability Model for Evaluating Maintenance Workforce Reliability: A Case Study in Electronic Packaging Industry

Sophisticated and advanced technologies adopted in recent semiconductor industries have grown rapidly to some degree. The complex hardware and software embedded with automation control system and other technological advancement require the need for higher levels of maintenance system. In such technological advancements, one must consider that innovations also require humans in the maintenance system to acquire new skills and knowledge. This however may induce additional probable for human error; which is known as a primary contributor to equipment and plant failures. This paper reviewed several general approaches to the study of human error and the characteristics of work in various industries as a foundation for describing the nature, incidence, and consequences of human error in the maintenance area. The Human Reliability Model (HRrM) which integrates qualitative and quantitative assessments is proposed as a methodology to quantify maintenance worker´s reliability; or probability the worker successfully accomplishes a maintenance task without performing any erroneous activities. A set of individual factors which may influence to error occurrence is considered as the model variables in evaluating individual maintenance workers. The HRrM model is then been verified and applied in a case study conducted in an electronic packaging industry. The intention of this model is to assist the organization in evaluating and monitoring the maintenance worker´s performance in terms of their reliability and thus improving the effectiveness of organization´s maintenance system.