6. Human factors and safety culture

The importance of human factors in the safety of industrial installations in general, and nuclear facilities in particular, is, in a way, self-evident. Indeed, analysis of major accidents shows that they were most often the result of a combination of material and human failures or inadequacies. However, we must not overlook the positive role that people can play in recovering from critical situations, and there are many examples of such positive action.

It is undoubtedly more difficult to assess a priori the behavior of people than that of equipment or structures; it is also much more delicate to discuss the human failings (in the broadest sense, covering the organizations concerned) involved in an incident and their root causes than possible or necessary improvements to systems or equipment. Nevertheless, it is essential to address issues relating to organizational...