Operators' Improvisation in Complex Technological Systems: Successfully Tackling Ambiguity, Enhancing Resiliency and the Last Resort to Averting Disaster. (25th March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meshkati, Najmedin; Khashe, Yalda
• Is Part Of: Journal of contingencies and crisis management. Volume 23:Number 2(2015:Jun.)
• Page Start: 90
• Page End: 96
• Publication Date: 2015-03-25
• Subjects: Crisis management -- Periodicals; 658
• DOI: 10.1111/1468-5973.12078
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0966-0879

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Complex safety‐critical technological systems breakdowns, which are often characterized as 'low probability, high consequence', could pose serious threats for workers, the local public, and possibly neighboring regions and the whole country. System designers can neither anticipate all possible scenarios nor foresee all aspects of unfolding emergency. Front‐line operators' improvisation via dynamic problem solving and reconfiguration of available recourses provide the last resort for preventing a total system failure. Despite advances in automation, operators should remain in charge of controlling and monitoring of safety‐critical systems. Furthermore, at the time of a major emergency, operators will always constitute the society's both the first and last layer of defense; and it is eventually their improvisation and ingenuity that could save the day.</p> </abstract>