Shift Handover Report Template
v3.0
Purpose. Used by the outgoing shift to record the state of the plant, the abnormal conditions, the permits, overrides and actions in progress so that the incoming shift takes over with full knowledge.
1.Purpose of the handover
Poor shift handover is a recognised cause of major accidents. The handover report is the written record that supports the face to face handover between the outgoing and incoming panel operators, outside operators and supervisors. It must be completed before the outgoing shift leaves and both parties must sign it.
2.What to record
Record the operating state of each unit, any variable outside its normal band, alarms that have been active for more than one hour, equipment out of service, permits live and isolations in place, safety system overrides and their expiry, transfers in progress, samples awaiting results, and actions started but not finished. Record what the incoming shift must do first.
3.Face to face handover
The incoming operator must read the report before the conversation. The outgoing operator must walk through each item, and the incoming operator must ask about anything unclear. The handover must take place in the control room for panel operators and at the field office for outside operators and must not be rushed by the shift change time.
4.Overrides and temporary changes
Every safety system override or temporary change must be listed with its management of change number and expiry date, and the incoming supervisor must confirm they are still authorised. An override that has expired must be reported to the Process Safety Manager.
5.Filing
The completed report must be entered in the shift log and the paper copy filed in the control room for 12 months. The Production Superintendent will audit handover reports monthly.