Shift Handover Software

Poor shift handover processes have caused catastrophic incidents, creating an important requirement for more efficient, consistent and detailed data at this crucial point of day-to-day operations. Unfortunately, there are still inadequate and time-consuming tools being used during shift handover, which increase organizational risk and inefficiencies.

Examples of Inadequate Shift Handover Methods

Paper

Spreadsheets

Word Processor Documents

Scattered Databases

Disconnected Applications

Inconsistent Verbal Communication

Impact of Poor Shift Handover on Personnel

Safety Concerns

Reduced Accountability

Lower Motivation and Wasted Time

Industrial Accidents Where Poor Shift Handover Was a Contributory Factor

Industrial Accident	Year
DuPont LaPorte Toxic Chemical Leak	2014
KiwiRail Train Derailment	2013
BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill	2010
Kleen Energy Natural Gas Explosion	2010
BP Texas City Refinery	2005
Buncefield Fire	2005
Esso Longford Gas Explosion	1998
Continental Express Aircraft Crash	1991
Occidental Piper Alpha Explosion	1988
Sellafield Beach Incident	1983

Shift Handover Software

Recommendations to Ensure a Safe Shift Handover

To reduce the risk of potential hazardous accidents, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends that industrial plants adopt a shift handover solution meeting all the following requirements:

Identify higher risk shift handovers
Develop staff's communication skills
Emphasize the importance of shift handover
Provide procedures for shift handover
Plan for maintenance work to be completed within one shift if possible
Conduct shift handovers face-to-face
Make the incoming and outgoing shifts take joint responsibility
Review the shift using both verbal and written communication
Analyze the information needs of incoming staff
Give as much time and resource as necessary
Design support equipment, with consideration of the operators’ needs
Involve the end users when implementing any changes to existing communication methods at shift handover level

The high risk of poor shift handover procedures has been highlighted on numerous U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) Investigation Reports over many years. In its June 2019 "Toxic Chemical Release at the DuPont La Porte Chemical Facility Investigation Report", the CSB also provided “Shift Communication Practices Guidance to Industry”:

“Effective communication between different operational units at a facility, and between supervisors and workers on changing shifts, is critical to safety. Communication is necessary to convey the status of operations, ongoing changes, abnormalities, unusual operating conditions, or other relevant issues associated with chemical process equipment. The more complex the process involved, the greater the imperative to ensure that communication is effective. Reliance solely upon one form of communication, especially verbal communication, can leave the workforce vulnerable to potential gaps in information communicated, misunderstandings, or absence of critical information in what oftentimes can be an evolving situation.”

j5 Shift Handover Solution

Enterprise Scalability and Visibility

Key shift information is shared to all of those who are responsible for the safe operation of hazardous areas, reducing paper, spreadsheets and word processor documents.

Desktop and Mobile Compatibility

Operations personnel have a clear overview of what is happening and what could happen whether they are in the control room or out in the field.

Spreadsheet-like Configuration

All the critical information from each shift is captured using j5 IndustraForm^® Templates, which can be configured easily as the process changes.

Intuitive Use

All shift information is organized in a structured and easy-to-use format and can be searched and reported on quickly.

Industrial Software Connectivity

Crucial human procedures data is recorded along with real-time information from Data Historians and the DCS.

Auditable Workflows

Follow-up work instructions are assigned to the next shift and incoming and outgoing personnel sign off the shift summary.

Impact of Safe and Consistent Shift Handover on Personnel

Safety Confidence

Renewed Accountability

Higher Motivation and Increased Productivity

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