Discussion - s1038cn10015

DOE-STD-1038-93

3. DISCUSSION

An operations shift turnover (turnover) is the process of transferring duties and responsibilities

of facility job positions between personnel. Thorough turnovers are crucial to the safety of

DOE facility operation. Turnover activities ensure that on-coming personnel have an accurate

picture of current facility status and provides a review of past and scheduled operations. The

information obtained by on-coming personnel during turnovers promotes safe, efficient, and

continuous operation. To ensure the most efficient and productive transfer of facility

information, the turnover should be strictly focused on the work station status and operation.

The turnover process should be conducted in a formal, businesslike manner because it

prepares on-coming personnel to operate the facility. Consistent with facility policy, on-

coming personnel are responsible for arriving at the facility in a condition ready to work (i.e.,

physically and mentally fit to assume the duties of the job).

A turnover checklist enhances the turnover process by serving as a guide for the on-coming

person. Used properly, the checklist will take the on-coming person through the turnover

process step-by-step. The turnover process will thus become a standard routine, thereby

minimizing the possibility of missing important information during the turnover.

Documents specified by management should be reviewed by on-coming personnel before

accepting their assigned responsibility. Reviewing these documents will augment the

information obtained during the remainder of the turnover. The review will refresh and

supplement the on-coming person's knowledge of past operations, as well as present and

scheduled operational commitments. It can also provide information about work station

status. This is especially important when a person has been absent for several days.

A pre-shift walkdown allows the on-coming person to inspect the work station before

accepting responsibility. It provides the on-coming person an opportunity to check the status

of the area and associated equipment. The walkdown is most beneficial when the off-going