IEEE P1023/D2

IEEE P1023/D2 is an approved IEEE draft recommended practice for applying human factors engineering to systems, equipment, and facilities used in nuclear power generating stations and other nuclear facilities. It focuses on how operators, maintainers, and designers interact with controls, displays, work areas, and procedures in safety-related environments. As a nuclear engineering reference, it helps support designs that are more usable, consistent, and less prone to human error in demanding plant conditions.

Overview of IEEE P1023/D2

This technical document addresses human factors considerations across nuclear facility systems and equipment, with attention to the interaction between people and plant interfaces. IEEE P1023/D2 is intended to guide practical decisions related to layout, control room design, alarm handling, and operational support features. Because it is a draft recommended practice, it is especially relevant where early design alignment and review of usability, task demands, and operator performance are important for plant safety and reliability.

Typical use cases

IEEE P1023/D2 may be used when evaluating control rooms, local operating stations, maintenance interfaces, and supporting facilities in nuclear power or other nuclear installations. It is relevant during system design reviews, refurbishment projects, and procedure development where human performance can affect plant outcomes. The standard can also help teams compare equipment arrangements, assess operator workload, and shape interface decisions for monitoring, control, and alarm response functions.

Why it matters

Human factors issues can influence safety, efficiency, and error rates in nuclear environments, so a structured reference such as IEEE P1023/D2 is valuable for design control and review. It supports more consistent decisions about how systems should be presented and operated, which can reduce ambiguity during routine work and abnormal events. Using the standard can also help align procurement, engineering, and testing activities around clearer expectations for usable and dependable facility interfaces.

• Human factors engineering for nuclear facilities
• Systems, equipment, and facility interfaces
• Operator and maintainer usability considerations
• Control room and alarm-related design review
• Safety-oriented plant interface evaluation