Placekeeping
Please feedback about placekeeping. We are currently using circle slash and it seems to be cumbersome for emergency procedures (Westinghouse WOG). Initials are required with circle slash at times.
What are you using, how long have you been using it? Please provide any thoughts.
Indian Point is using circle slash / with the same pains described in the last post. initial block or not the step number will be circled, read, performed, slashed when complete. We are still wrestling with how to apply the standard or expectation to tables, or other documents without a bullet or step number to circle & slash, what do you do for a step that is N/A'd, must you placekeep steps that are not action steps like Precautions & limitations, references, etc.
I heard that circle slash is coming my way. Currently we use initials and are allowed to circle skipped steps in some procedures such as integrated operating procedures or emergency operating procedure but not in SOP or IST procedures.
It seems to me that every few years we try to improve the process and in the end make the process harder. Adding to the confusion, we do not follow through in all departments the expectations and enforcement of whatever the chosen method currently is.
I think procedure quality is the main issue here. Our procedures are continually improving but I have to ask this question: when do you signoff a step with three actions? When do you signoff a step that says "monitor" or "when" while doing the remaining steps to achieve the "when" condition? How about have actions or conditions to be met in notes or cautions?
We try to get one action per step but for some reason, it just does not happen that way all the time.
I think if you can spend the time and the money and try to get all the operators trained on how to make good sound procedure steps suggestions, it will not matter if it is a circle slash, initials, or smiley faces but that it will always be clear what step has been done. My personal experience is that it does not matter what you use, somebody will still skip a step and not realize it and all the circle slash in the world will not prevent someone from poorly reading the procedure.
Circle and slash is our standard at Perry. This goes for all procedures including EOP flowcharts.we have a new rev of the procedure coming MOnday. Some highlights (below):
Some of the placekeeping requirements of Attachment 1 are:
Placekeeping is to be used whenever written instructions are being referred to directly to perform an action.
The placekeeping technique for Step by Step written instructions is the "Circle/Slash" method including steps with signature or initial blocks.
Placekeeping in-field reference procedures and work orders shall be performed. However, several steps may be signed off after performance, recognizing the document may not be in hand.
When a series of steps may have to be repeated until acceptance criteria is met, the individual performing the task establishes a method of applying placekeeping to each sequence through the steps.
i would go with dwyane that Our procedures are continually improving but I have to ask this question: when do you signoff a step with three actions? When do you signoff a step that says "monitor" or "when" while doing the remaining steps to achieve the "when" condition?..its a ncie discussion here :)
Interesting. Perry realizes that it is not a perfect world. But if
"When a series of steps may have to be repeated until acceptance criteria is met, the individual performing the task establishes a method of applying placekeeping to each sequence through the steps."
then what is the point of mandating any kind of of placekeeping? I know that somebody from INPO will see this and not understand and document that you do not placekeep IAW your procedures because you did not circle slash.
I also find it interesting in general the expectation for remote performance of procedures. Currently we have to put the remote performer's initials along with the performers at each step for the post job brief (fact finder). How do you circle-slash that? When I am in the field, I usually cross out (slash) all steps that are not mine and circle my step that I am actually performing. When complete, I then initial and report back to the control room that step xyz, valve open is complete. I wonder what the expectation will be when we go to circle-slash.
One of the things that I love about this job is everybody knows what excellance is but they often cannot show you what it looks like under all conditions and for all plants.
At Turkey Point we use circle slash and still have initial lines in normal operating procedures. EOP and ONOP have no initial lines. We are still working through the pain of the change but the newer operators (we have a bunch) are getting it. It is the older operators (myself included) who have problems with it. We are trying to get rid of initial blocks and then it makes more sense.