Best Practice: Information Exchange at Shift Change

The exchange of information between incoming and outgoing shifts is crucial to effective and safe plant operation. Unfortunately, information exchange at shift change is frequently poorly done. Shift change or turnover should not be a hello/goodbye exchange, nor should it be done in the hallway, change room, or parking lot. In pursuit of operational excellence, significant attention should be placed on making sue that shift changes include an effective transfer of information relating to plant and equipment performance. A good shift change process should:

- It must be conducted face-to-face.
- It must follow specific procedures, based on an analysis of needs. The need for a specific procedure is especially important when there is a big difference in experience between shifts, when personnel have had an extended absence ie vacation, and after significant capital projects or plant turnarounds.
- It must allow as much time as necessary for communication, especially when there have been problems during the departing shift.
- Both shifts must be responsible for communication, teamwork, and joint ownership.
- Discussions should include equipment and process conditions, maintenance activity, equipment that has been locked out, personnel issues, and any new product or process.

We always advocate that any work permit - safe work, hot work, confined space, elevated work, etc automatically expire at the end of each shift with the incoming shift being responsible for reissuing the permit as they take over.

Synchronous LLC is committed to maintaining a continuing dialogue on operational excellence and best practices for the process manufacturing industry. To pose a question, contribute a best practice, or otherwise add to the dialogue, send a note to RobBaldwin@SynchronousLLC.com . To subscribe to our weekly newsletter send your preferred email contact address to Webmaster@SynchronousLLC.com with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.