Common Faults & Handover of Information

Poor handovers are the cause of most problems that arise, and this is due to a lack of operator training on how to conduct effective shift handovers.

When handing over information, the communication needs to be both ways, meaning that whoever is coming in for the new shift must also ask questions, this will decrease the probability of any misunderstanding between the two parties.

Often, shift handovers that have been passed on verbally and from memory lead to problems, and inevitably a fault in the operation, this is often due to a lack of having a logbook present.

Just having a logbook won’t save the day, as important information may be missing, such as operations that weren’t completed or new parameters that may have been set during the previous shift, thus creating a whole load of problems, from confusion to production delays.

To prevent such problems from occurring, it is of extreme importance to have a standard operating procedure (SOP) for a handover. Think of this procedure as a checklist, where you have a set of checks to carry out, which includes updating the logbook.

When updating the logbook, it is important to include detail, don’t be vague, this is crucial so that the next operator has an accurate model of the current situation. Any adjustment or changes must be logged and explained for the next operator.

A good logbook means, it needs to be logical, self-explanatory, easy to understand, and have a mixture of open and closed questions, with multiple choice options with space for observations and comments. 

The structure of the logbook is decided by the employees, everyone involved should have something to offer.

Learning Objectives:
 •    Identify and examine what makes a poor handover and why they occur
 •    Outline what a logbook is
 •    Distinguish the principles of a good logbook and how it should be completed