Handover Safety Responsibilities: 10-Point Checklist for Secure Transitions

Health & Safety Duties During Operational Handover

Handover (shift change, project transfer, contractor switch) is a high-risk period. The responsible person must ensure:

1. Hazard-free zone: Inspect area; remove trip/slip hazards, secure loose materials.
2. Adequate lighting: Task-appropriate illumination; emergency lighting functional.
3. Clear access/egress: Unobstructed pathways, doors unlocked, signage visible.
4. First aid readiness: Stocked kit, trained first aider identified, AED accessible.
5. PPE available & worn: Hard hats, hi-vis, gloves, eye/ear protection per task.
6. Emergency procedures communicated: Muster points, fire alarms, spill response, rescue plan.
7. Risk assessment reviewed: Job-specific JSA/RA updated; new hazards flagged.
8. Competency verified: Incoming personnel trained, authorized, fit for duty.
9. Clear communication protocol: Standardized handover format (SBAR, I-PASS); two-way confirmation.
10. Regulatory compliance: Permits, certificates, inspections current; documentation archived.

Handover Information Package

• Current status, critical tasks, pending actions, anomalies.
• Equipment status, isolation registers, permit status.
• Personnel on site, visitor log.
• Weather, environmental conditions.

Effective handover = safety + continuity.