NANTeL Human Performance Principles 3

Question 1

Which best describes 'normalization of deviance' in nuclear operations?

Accepted Answer

Gradual acceptance of non-standard practices as normal over time

Answer

Updating procedures to reflect actual plant conditions

Answer

Training workers to handle abnormal operating conditions

Answer

Documenting deviations in the corrective action program

Question 2

The primary purpose of the nuclear Corrective Action Program (CAP) is to:

Accepted Answer

Identify, evaluate, and resolve conditions adverse to quality

Answer

Punish workers who commit errors

Answer

Generate regulatory reports for the NRC

Answer

Track equipment maintenance schedules

Question 3

A worker performing valve lineup verification should use 'place-keeping' because it:

Accepted Answer

Marks physical progress through a checklist to prevent omissions

Answer

Speeds up the task by skipping already-checked items

Answer

Eliminates the need for a second verifier

Answer

Reduces the number of steps required in the procedure

Question 4

Which scenario is an example of a 'knowledge-based' error?

Accepted Answer

Applying incorrect knowledge to diagnose an unfamiliar plant transient

Answer

Pressing the wrong button on a familiar panel

Answer

Misreading a label due to similar-looking equipment

Answer

Forgetting a procedural step during a routine task

Question 5

The concept of 'conservative decision-making' in nuclear operations means:

Accepted Answer

Choosing the option that best preserves safety margin when uncertain

Answer

Always choosing the fastest available option

Answer

Deferring all decisions to senior management

Answer

Following the most conservative interpretation of any regulation

Question 6

What is the primary risk when two workers verify a component position simultaneously rather than independently?

Accepted Answer

One worker's perception may anchor and bias the other's verification

Answer

It takes longer than a single verification

Answer

It violates NRC independent verification requirements

Answer

Both workers may be counted as one verification event

Question 7

During a high-pressure situation, a worker feels rushed and considers skipping a peer check. The BEST practice is to:

Accepted Answer

Slow down and perform the peer check, informing supervision of the time impact

Answer

Skip the peer check to meet time constraints and document it later

Answer

Ask a bystander unfamiliar with the task to perform the peer check

Answer

Complete the task and request a post-task verification instead