Human Reliability Program and Industries of National Importance

Talk given to the researchers and associates at HP Green R&D Centre of HPCL, Bengaluru.

Happy visiting the 'HP Green R&D Centre' of HPCL in the eastern fringes of Bengaluru beyond Whitefield. Indeed, it is a green and well-maintained campus, reflecting the care for nature. There are 16 laboratories, each specialising in a critical component of the energy cycle. The Centre has a dedicated team of researchers with expertise in their fields. Another vital element is to have postdocs and project associates on a fixed term. These young associates sharpen their skills and provide fresh thinking and abilities.

The website of HPCL describes it as a world-class research campus to develop innovative & pathbreaking technologies and products. It is an energy research centre par excellence, an impression I echo after visiting. Thanks to Dr Anjan Ray, one of my collaborators, for introducing me to the researchers at the Centre. Thanks to Dr Ramachandra Rao, holding a senior position at the Centre (Chief General Manager), for the invitation and hospitality.

During my visit on 12 February, I talked to the researchers and associates on the "Human Reliability Program and Industries of National Importance".

I have introduced the importance of ensuring the reliability of humans while ensuring robust R&D going through the R&D continuum. I talked about the essential difference between security and safety. I introduced various components of the Human Reliability Program. While it is necessary to ensure technology's reliability, humans' ability stands out. The world is a combination of technology and humans, and the challenge is to ensure retaining efficient performance. In industries of national importance, paying attention to human response to situations becomes essential. Shared the details of the work carried out on HRP. Comparing the HRP in various countries in the nuclear domain to ascertain what is common and different. Currently, we are focusing on HRP in other industries like aviation, chemical, mining, and transport to find a common thread. I shared some results based on our studies. The way forward is to utilise the advances being made in the cognitive sciences to enhance HRP. I ended the talk by bringing to their attention the challenge of understanding and accommodating diversity. The work presented is part of NIAS and Texas A&M University collaborative research.

It has been a satisfying visit to the Centre, visiting the laboratories and interacting with the researchers there. Thanks to Dr Anjan Ray for facilitating the visit and interactions. I am happy that Dr Anjan was also there during the visit and talk. It gives me satisfaction to know from Dr Anjan that the talk was well received, especially from the younger colleagues. Satisfaction is also for introducing HRP to researchers in the oil and gas sector.