What is a primary focus of human factors engineering?

Human factors engineering is primarily concerned with understanding how humans interact with systems in order to improve safety, efficiency, and overall system performance. Specifically, in the context of nuclear systems, a key focus is to minimize human error. Human error can lead to significant safety risks in high-stakes environments such as nuclear operations, where the consequences of mistakes can be severe.

By applying principles of human factors engineering, professionals aim to design systems that are more user-friendly and intuitive, taking into account human capabilities and limitations. This includes improving interface design, enhancing training programs, and implementing effective communication strategies. The ultimate goal is to create environments where the likelihood of human error is reduced, thereby enhancing safety and reliability in nuclear operations.

While other options touch upon important themes in engineering and safety, they do not focus specifically on the core intent of human factors engineering, which is centered around minimizing human error through thoughtful design and system interactions.