Enhancing the safety of future systems

Reports on a work programme to develop a methodology for human reliability assessment (HRA) throughout defence procurement. The dramatic adverse effect that human error can have upon system safety means that it is essential to assess and minimise the potential for human error in a system, for the safety case. This assessment helps to demonstrate that the risks are as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP). It is recognised, however, that existing analysis processes within defence procurement rarely take adequate account of the risks associated with human error within the systems being procured. To help overcome this inadequacy, a methodology has been developed to support HRA which can be used as an integral part of the MoD's procurement process, from concept stage to decommissioning. The methodology comprises three levels of instruction for the application of seven analysis steps. These steps will allow the human error risks in a system to be adequately assessed and, where relevant, guidance is provided for the elimination or control of the errors. The methodology also integrates the processes of human factors integration and safety assessment, which are performed in parallel. The successful integration of these processes throughout procurement should help to ensure that the effectiveness of both is improved. This methodology offers a comprehensive means of assessing and minimising human error risks during defence procurement. However, further work is required to develop and verify the usability of the methodology prior to its introduction into service.