Abstract: This paper givesan overview and evaluation of the predictive use of the FunctionalResonance Accident Model, FRAM (Hollnagel, 2004), a method that isunder development and in line with the theoretical framework ofResilience Engineering (Hollnagel et al. 2006). FRAM is based onthe premise that both negative and positive events can result from(expected and unexpected) combinations of the variability in thenormal performance of complex socio-technical systems. FRAM was used as a qualitative risk assessment method in a nuclearpower plant. The process assessed was the transportation of an 80ton heavy metal cylinder for transportation of used fuel. The studyfocused on the transportation of the cylinder inside the powerplant and in particular the 40 meter lift that is needed to get thecylinder up into the reactor hall. The FRAM analysis was used topropose recommendations at different levels, such as how to improvehuman-machine interface issues, procedures, informationdissemination within the organization, and governmentguidelines.
Lundblad, K., Speziali, J., Woltjer, R. (2008). FRAM as a risk assessment method for nuclear fuel transportation. In Proceedings of the 4th. International Conference Working on Safety. Crete, Greece.