The four parts of a reliable handover

A handover fails when it is a list of events instead of a transfer of responsibility. Use four parts, in this order, every time.

1. Plant status. What is running, what is down, what is on standby. Give equipment tags, not nicknames. "P-2101A is running, P-2101B is on standby, the spare is out of service for seal replacement."

2. Changes during the shift. Only what changed, and why. "We reduced separator level setpoint from 60 to 50 percent at 14:00 because carryover was reported downstream."

3. Open work and permits. Which permits are live, which are suspended, who holds them. Never assume the next shift can find this on paper alone.

4. Actions for the incoming shift. Explicit, with a name and a time. "Check the strainer differential at 20:00. If it exceeds 0.8 bar, switch to the standby and inform the control room."

Say the four headings out loud as you go. It slows you down in a good way, and it tells the incoming supervisor exactly where they are in the handover.