0. 4.0 Shift /Task Turnover Presented by: Dave Supplee, USAirways/IAM
Federal Aviation
Administration
4.0 Shift /Task Turnover
Presented by:
Dave Supplee, USAirways/IAM
Terry Kleiser, FedEx Express
FAA/Industry Maintenance
Human Factors Workgroup
Introduction of The Operator’s Manual for Human Factors in Aviation Maintenance
jetBlue Airways New York
25-26 October2005

1. Agenda Why is Shift/Task Turnover Important
How to Implement a Shift/Task Turnover Process
How to know the Shift/Task Turnover process is working
Key References
Final Thought/Discussion

2. Agenda Why is Shift/Task Turnover Important
How to Implement a Shift/Task Turnover Process
How to know the Shift/Task Turnover process is working
Key References
Final Thought/Discussion

3. Shift/Task Turnover – Why is it Important
Use bullets an pictures
DO NOT READ THEM THE BOOK!
Shift and task turnover are critical periods in aircraft maintenance activities because workers relay crucial information for ending a shift and starting another as well as turning over a task within the shift.
Events have shown us that inadequate information exchange during shift and task turnovers can have serious consequences.

4. EMB-120RT, In-Flight Structural Breakup
“Departures from approved procedures included failures to solicit and give proper shift-change turnover reports, failures to use maintenance work cards as approved, failures to complete required maintenance/inspection shift/turnover forms, and a breach in the integrity of the quality control.”
NTSB /AAR-92/04 Eagle Lake

5. EMB-120RT, In-Flight Structural Breakup
Outgoing AMT failed to provide a written task turnover to supervisor, only a verbal task turnover was provided
The Supervisor failed to pass on the verbal turnover to the next shift
Oncoming AMT’s looked at the L/E from below and it appeared the installation was complete
Aircraft departed with the L/E only partially installed (upper screws missing), resulting in an catastrophic accident
“The Safety Board concludes that the GMM contained clear procedures, which, if followed could have prevented the accident”

6. B737-200, #1 Eng. Thrust Reverser Incident
Due to an oil leak at the oil filter housing, a decision was made to remove and replace the engine
Replacement engine was delivered without the tailpipe and T/R assembly
1st shift began swapping the tailpipe/thrust reverser assembly from the old engine to new engine
1st shift AMT’s failed to document (short sign) the loosening of 38 of the 42 flange bolts that held the assembly to the core

7. B737-200, On-Landing #1 Eng. Tailpipe/Thrust Reverser Departed the Aircraft
No verbal or written task turnover took place between shifts.
2nd shift decided they could fix the oil leak rather than removing and replacing the engine.
2nd shift AMT’s repaired the leak. They did not know or recognize only 4 of the 42 bolts holding the tail pipe assembly were tight.
The aircraft flew without incident for one day. The first landing of the next day the tailpipe/thrust reverser departed the aircraft, causing substantial damage to the pylon and engine.

8. B737-300 ADC Lines Left Off After IRU Replacement
IRU replaced on 2nd shift.
ADC lines needed to be removed to provide clearance to remove IRU.
AMT on 2nd shift did provide written turnover, but failed to mention ADC lines needed to be reconnected.
AMT on 3rd shift was given written turnover and was told by supervisor that a functional check was all that was needed of the IRU.
On originating flight of the day, at 80 kts, F/O’s airspeed still was at 0 kts, T/O aborted.
AC returned to the gate where ADC lines were reconnected.

9. Agenda Why is Shift/Task Turnover Important
How to Implement a Shift/Task Turnover Process
How to know the Shift/Task Turnover process is working
Key References
Final Thought/Discussion

10. Shift /Task Turnover - How to implement
Development and implement policies, procedures and protocol
Provide time and place for formal shift/task turnover
Provide documentation that allows space for proper turnovers
Accomplish initial and recurrent training on shift/task turnover policy/procedures
Challenges:
Policy/Procedure compliance
Consistent application

11. Shift /Task Turnover – Documentation Tools
This turnover form has a running list of items needing completion or the completion of an item.
In this example, a carrier had a task scheduled, but the open item was missed which required the left side control rods to be rigged, safetied & close-up accomplished.
Fortunately, this item was caught by the inspection crew when they performed the post-check inspection.

12. Shift /Task Turnover – Documentation Tools
Another form of turn-over, but easier to track each item
Had this form been used in the previous example, it would have been obvious that an item was not completed.

13. Shift /Task Turnover – Documentation Tools
While most of the turnover issues involve a task turn-over, that generally is done at the changing of shifts. This documentation can be used as a shift turn-over, addressing all that is going on for that shift, rather than just one task. In bound aircraft requiring service, inop APU’s needing air starts, MEL’s requiring re-checks are all examples of items that could be placed on the shift turn-over log.
These are shift turnover reports, where the status of on-going work can be passed to the on-coming shift. Also any incoming items can be passed on with this form.

14. Agenda Why is Shift/Task Turnover Important
How to Implement a Shift/Task Turnover Process
How to know the Shift/Task Turnover process is working
Key References
Final Thought/Discussion

15. Shift/Task Turnover - How to know it is working
Fewer incidents/accidents related to lack of verbal or written turnovers
Fewer tasks starting over from the beginning of one shift to the other i.e. flight control rigging
Decrease in Internal/FAA documentation audit findings

16. Agenda Why is Shift/Task Turnover Important
How to Implement a Shift/Task Turnover Process
How to know the Shift/Task Turnover process is working
Key References
Final Thought/Discussion

17. Shift/Task Turnover - Key References
Shift work and Scheduling
This document not only looks at the process of shift turn-over, but also the physical effects shift work has on the actual production during the shift. It gives valuable information on how to address some of the effects of shift work and on what an effective turn-over process should include.
Task Analysis of Shift Change Activity in Aviation Maintenance Environment:
This document outlines the task analytic methodology used to analyze the shift change process at representative aircraft maintenance sites, the taxonomy of errors developed and the human factors interventions to prevent errors. Finally, the paper documents a standardized shift change process detailing the shift change protocol.

18. Shift/Task Turnover - Key References (continued)
CAP 716, Appendix T:
This document was drafted for EASA/JAR 145 organizations and uses accident and incident findings to support the need for effective shift and task turn-overs. It gives examples of processes and documents to improve the shift/task turn-over communication.

19. Agenda Why is Shift/Task Turnover Important
How to Implement a Shift/Task Turnover Process
How to know the Shift/Task Turnover process is working
Key References
Final Thought/Discussion

20. Final Thought/Discussion
“You can’t be careful enough, work turnover is a time technicians are at greatest risk”