Electric System Control Room Operators: Cognitive Task Analysis and Human Error

Abstract: Despite the increasing level of automation in electric system control centers, human action in the supervision and control of the process remains essential for maintaining system security. This study is about operators’ tasks in managing real-time occurrences of low voltage level in an electric system. The operation aims to restore the power supply. The study comprehends the operators’ task and the potential errors analysis in order to subsidize the creation of a training simulator. Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA) and Systematic Human Error Reduction and Prediction Approach (SHERPA) were the methods used in the research. The results show that operators are involved in action planning and decision-making, whose errors can result in serious consequences for the system. It is possible that the analysis of a large amount of information together with real-time decision-making in the emergencies significantly influences operators' errors. Task analysis proved useful in identifying situations that may compose simulation scenarios for training. A disadvantage of the method is not considering work context and its implications for operators’ errors.

Keywords: hierarchical task analysis, operators’ errors, training, simulator.

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe100144

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