1. Principle

1.1 Operator's role in the control room

The operator has an essential supervisory role within the manufacturing process: he performs a number of tasks which are highly context-dependent, and therefore difficult to automate, and which require him to constantly monitor the process and its digital control system (DCS) [54] ; he may be required to diagnose a malfunction and act accordingly on the process. It is therefore seen as a component for adapting the DCS to changes in operating mode, external disturbances and new events. It remains the final link in the decision-making chain.

In practical terms, the operator is responsible for :

• execute procedures...