Human Factors: Keeping nuclear facilities safe and operable

User Centric Design is a Human Factors accredited consultancy that operates across all domains. We provide expert Human Factors knowledge and advice for the civil and defence nuclear industry and its suppliers through skilled application of Human Factors Integration embedded within the requirements of the Safety Case.

What we do:

Our Human Factors specialists are typically part of the safety assurance team and the engineering team during the development of new, or decommissioning of, existing facilities. We identify safety or efficiency issues and suggest practical solutions to designs and procedures. For existing facilities, we provide tailored analyses suitable for periodic reviews of safety.  In short, we provide the skills needed to ensure our clients in the nuclear industry are able to meet the Licencing Conditions of the Office of Nuclear Regulation.

We offer a range of services, such as:

  • Human Error analysis: Our specialists have contributed to major safety cases in nuclear, aviation, defence and medical industries by helping clients to design equipment that is compatible with users' expectations and abilities, thus helping to minimise the likelihood of a hazard ever occurring.

  • We employ proven specialist techniques such as SHERPA and TRACER to identify human error and procedural violations, and then design and substantiate the human based safety claims using qualitative and quantitative techniques such as HEART or THERP.

  • Human Factors design and evaluation: We can help you design systems, processes, and training that are safe, user-friendly, secure, and effective. We can apply user-centred design techniques, such as user research, usability testing, prototyping, and evaluation, to ensure that your systems, processes, and training meet the needs and expectations of your users.

  • Human Factors consultancy: We can provide tailored advice and guidance on how to address the human factors of your systems.

Why choose us?

We have extensive experience and expertise in applying human factors principles and methods to various domains, such as defence, cyber-security, nuclear, finance, health care and air traffic management.

We have a team of highly qualified and experienced human factors professionals who have backgrounds in nuclear physics, ergonomics, psychology, engineering and design.

We are trusted by our clients and are committed to delivering high-quality results that meet your needs and exceed your expectations. We are flexible, responsive, and collaborative in our approach. We listen to your requirements, understand your challenges, and tailor our solutions to your specific context.

Examples of our projects:

    • Sellafield SIXEP Continuity Plant: Control Room design and layout, substantiation of Operational Performance Measures, pre-inactive commissioning tests.

    • HF assessment of the transport of AHF waste from NNL into Sellafield

    • Support to development and delivery of the Generic Design Assessment Step 2 for the Holtec SMR-300.

    • Provision of HF expertise on various projects covering the complete system lifecycle, i.e.

    • Design of new Facilities,

    • Periodic Reviews of Safety on existing facilities,

    • Assessment of safety actions for facilities undergoing decommissioning.

Contact us?

Want to learn more about how we can help you? Please contact us at:

  • Phone: +44 (0)7976 123288 or (0)7768 275858

  • Email: enquiries@u-cd.co.uk

  • Website: www.u-cd.co.uk

We look forward to hearing from you.