Shift Handover Management

Shift Handover : A crucial moment that needs special attention Shift Handover:  When things often go awry! We show you how to bring this crucial phase back into control Shift Handover: What are we talking about? You would probably not be surprised to learn that more avoidable process upsets occur shortly after a shift changeover than at any other time of the day. A decision is made (or a decision is not made) simply because the incoming shift operators and supervisors are not aware of crucial plant status. These avoidable upsets can range from embarrassing to expensive to exorbitant to downright dangerous! But what could possibly go wrong at shift changeover? : Well just about everything: An outgoing operator is tired and so forgets to tell the incoming operator about a crucial trial being carried out, or a valve that seems to have a mind of its own, or a maintenance task that should have been finished but isn't, or a dangerously high temperature etc. etc. Or he writes it down on a piece of paper but doesn't describe the problem or it gets lost or the incoming operator forgets to read it etc. Of course, some sites have recognized this crucial point in time and tried to implement systems that will ensure a smooth changeover. Often these systems are paper based, whiteboard based or spreadsheet based. This means that there is no visibility and no traceability so that their success is dependant on the whims of the outgoing operators. The result: Upsets keep happening and keep hurting! Some of our customers asked us to provide an electronic solution that would tame this wild animal. We were not surprised. The result: St James Software's j5 HandoverBook. A web server based application designed to enforce a clear procedure that would be carried out at the shift handover. Read on to see how it works. HandoverBook: Bringing the shift handover back under control. Here is how it works: At the end of the shift, this information is entered into the HandoverBook. This is a clear and concise record of the key areas of the process that will be needed by the incoming shift operator or supervisor. When the incoming operator or supervisor comes in, he or she has a clear and concise summary of the status of the process at the start of the shift, and can make informed decisions as to the course of action needed to maintain and improve the process. Other users such as field operators, technical personnel and managers can also monitor the Handover Logs to see how the shift went. The Handover Log also provides a secure, searchable record of the status of the shift at handover which can be used for many other purposes such as the evaluation of process campaigns etc. So what do we gain by providing an automated handover system? The primary benefit to going to a networked Handover Log system is that all the incoming shift workers start the shift well informed. They have a clear and concise understanding of the status of the process as they start their work. This means that expensive and major plant upsets will be avoided because of better decisions. Additionally, because the handover logs are visible to all, the quality of the handover steadily improves and the procedures are always carried out. There is also a clear record and audit trail of the handover so that each operator knows his or her responsibility in the process. Once people are aware of their responsibilities, they take a pride in them and the quality of operations steadily improves. The system is useful to different people in different ways. For example, an incoming maintenance manager would be interested in the maintenance fields while a supervisor would want to look at why there are continuing shutdowns in a given process stream. The handover logs are maintained in an easily searchable database so that technical and managerial staff can easily find records of the handovers trace recurring problems . For example, an engineer could find out where a particular problem started to appear by looking back through the handover logs. If you are interested in examining the concept of a networked HandoverBook further, have a look at the next section. It is an easy way to get started. St. James Software's j5 HandoverBook: An easy way to get started... First, a quick look at an Industrial Handover Application: St James Software's j5 HandoverBook is a corporate wide networked Handover Management system designed for Industrial conditions. HandoverBook is designed so that Control Room Operators (or Supervisors) can record key shift information in a clear, concise format and so that all the incoming personnel can view this information when they start the shift. HandoverBook is also completely configurable so that it can be made to fit the special requirements of virtually any Industrial Site. To get started, try out either of our demos (an on-line web based version or a downloadable standalone version.) Databases: The demo will work with Access, SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle or PostgreSQL. License: Use the web based version as often as you like or download a fully functional demo (incorporating all the configuration functions) and valid for a period of 30 days from the download page. Demo Description: The demo is based on a Power Utility as shown in the diagram. Of course, if you would like to change the demo, you can add your own logs or add fields to the tables and change the look and feel of the presentation. View the on-line Demo Please send me more information Click here to view our Price List.