Repeatback

DOE-STD-1031-92

unless directed otherwise or where environmental conditions or personnel

hazards require evacuation for personnel safety). If conditions require

immediate evacuation, contact should be made with the Control Area after

successful evacuation.

4.1.2.3

Repeatback

In operational communications, the receiver should repeat the message

back to the sender. This is especially important when receiving instructions

involving operation of facility equipment to assure the sender that the

instruction is correctly understood. A verbatim repeatback is preferred,

although paraphrasing may be used as long as the intent of the message is

clearly stated. If notations of equipment, numbers, and positions were made

during the original transmission, the repeatback should contain the same

information.

Example: "Control Area, this is the Building Operator. Understand, open

Cooling Water Suction Valve, Foxtrot two five."

The sender must listen carefully to repeated messages to ensure the

receiver understands the message. If the receiver repeats the message

incorrectly, the sender should immediately correct the receiver by saying

"Wrong" and repeat the message until properly received.

4.1.2.4

Confirmation

After the repeatback, the sender should confirm or correct the receiver. The

absence of the confirmation step may result in miscommunication because

the receiver may have misheard the instructions and repeated erroneous

information. A lack of response by the sender may be misinterpreted as

silent confirmation that the repeated message was correct. However, the

receiver should not carry out the action until confirmation is received.

Example: "Building Operator, this is the Control Area Operator. That is

correct."

4.1.2.5

Reportbacks

Another part of operational communication is the reportback. When directed

to perform a task, a report should be made concerning the completion of the

task or difficulties encountered as soon as possible. The appropriate

supervisor or control area operator should acknowledge this communication

so that the sender is confident the report was received.

4.1.2.6

Briefings for Operators

Briefings can provide information to operators during normal and emergency

operating conditions. Information should be concisely transferred among

the operators by well organized briefings. Managers can ask questions or