Investigation of human error by using THERP method in control room of incoiler department in a pipe manufacturing company

Background & Aims of the Study: Today, in many sensitive occupational environments, human error can lead to catastrophic events. Given that the sensitive task of a control area operator, which in the occurrence of malfunction or failure leads to irreparable events, it is important to predict human errors to reduce its adverse consequences. Therefore, the present study was  perform by aiming to identify human error of the control room operators in a pipe company of Ahvaz in 2017 using by using human error rate prediction technique. Materials and Methods: After numerous questions from the personnel and observing event sheets, important jobs were identified and then the Hierarchy Task Analysis, critical tasks was carried out and finally, the likelihood of  human error in every of the critical tasks was decided by means of the THERP technique. Results: Totally 5 main tasks and 21 subtasks were analyzed. Most of the errors recognized in this company were functional and among which factors affecting fatigue performance by 19.67% and experience by 18.03% and the training by 16.39% were the most influential factors. Conclusion: According that maximum of the identified errors are functional, so targeted training courses for personnel and the try to employ people with relevant education and experience can be effective in reducing probability of human error. Also, planning for shift workers can be effective in reducing fatigue.

Keywords:

THERP technique , Human error , Control room , Iran