NANTeL - National Academy for Nuclear Training e-Learning Human Performance Principles Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An operator is tasked with closing a critical valve in the plant. Before manipulating the valve, the operator pauses, points to the valve's label, and verbalizes its designation and the intended action. After closing the valve, the operator checks a downstream flow meter to ensure the expected result occurred. Which human performance tool is being demonstrated?
- Three-Way Communication
- Peer Check
- S-T-A-R (Stop, Think, Act, Review) (Correct answer)
- Questioning Attitude
Correct answer: S-T-A-R (Stop, Think, Act, Review)
The operator is demonstrating S-T-A-R. 'Stop' occurred when they paused. 'Think' was demonstrated by identifying the correct component and intended action. 'Act' was the physical manipulation of the valve. 'Review' was checking the flow meter to confirm the action had the desired outcome.
Question 2: Which of the following is the best example of a latent organizational weakness that could lead to a human performance error?
- An operator misreads a gauge due to poor lighting in the area.
- A technician accidentally drops a tool while working at height.
- A confusingly written procedure for a complex task has not been updated in over five years. (Correct answer)
- A worker forgets to wear their safety glasses for a routine task.
Correct answer: A confusingly written procedure for a complex task has not been updated in over five years.
A confusing and outdated procedure is a latent weakness. It is a flaw embedded in the organization's processes that lies dormant until a person interacts with it, creating an error-likely situation. The other options describe active errors, which are the immediate slips, lapses, or mistakes made by an individual.
Question 3: During a pre-job brief for a high-risk maintenance activity, what is the most critical objective?
- To ensure all necessary work permits have been signed.
- To have all team members introduce themselves and state their qualifications.
- To rush through the brief so the work can start on schedule.
- To ensure all participants understand the scope, hazards, critical steps, and contingencies. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: To ensure all participants understand the scope, hazards, critical steps, and contingencies.
The primary purpose of a pre-job brief is to ensure the entire team has a shared and accurate understanding of the work to be performed, including the specific hazards, critical steps that must be performed correctly, and what to do if things do not go as planned. While permits and introductions are part of the process, the shared understanding of the task and its risks is the most critical objective for preventing errors.
Question 4: A technician performing a surveillance test notices a pressure reading that, while within its acceptable band, is significantly different from the values recorded on previous shifts. Instead of just documenting the value, the technician stops and notifies the control room to question the anomaly. This behavior is a direct application of which human performance principle?
- Conservative Decision-Making
- Questioning Attitude (Correct answer)
- Procedure Adherence
- Peer Checking
Correct answer: Questioning Attitude
A questioning attitude involves individuals avoiding complacency and continually challenging existing conditions to identify discrepancies that could indicate an error or an emerging problem. By not simply accepting the 'in-spec' reading and instead questioning why it has changed, the technician is demonstrating a strong questioning attitude.
Question 5: An operator provides a directive to a field operator: 'Start pump 1B.' The field operator responds, 'You want me to start pump 1B.' The control room operator then says, 'That is correct.' This exchange is a complete example of which human performance tool?
- S-T-A-R
- Shift Turnover
- Three-Way Communication (Correct answer)
- Pre-Job Brief
Correct answer: Three-Way Communication
This is a classic example of Three-Way Communication. The first part is the directive from the sender. The second part is the receiver repeating the directive back verbatim. The third and final part is the original sender confirming that the repeat-back was correct. This ensures a mutual and verified understanding of the instruction.
Question 6: Time pressure, high workload, vague guidance, and a distracting environment are all examples of what?
- Latent Errors
- Active Failures
- Organizational Values
- Error Traps (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Error Traps
These are all common examples of error traps, which are conditions that increase the probability of an individual making a mistake. Recognizing these conditions allows workers to apply extra caution or additional human performance tools to mitigate the increased risk of error.
NANTeL - National Academy for Nuclear Training e-Learning Human Performance Principles Questions and Answers 1
An operator is tasked with closing a critical valve in the plant.
Before manipulating the valve, the operator pauses, points to the valve's label, and verbalizes its designation and the intended action.
After closing the valve, the operator checks a downstream flow meter to ensure the expected result occurred.
Which human performance tool is being demonstrated?