ABSTRACT
The execution phase of the shutdown is the most important phase� It is characterized by the performance of a large volume of tasks by a large number of people of many skills and disciplines concentrated in a limited space� If the plan was laid out well, all the allocated resources will be pulled together to realize their full potential� However, the shutdown coordinator should not just sit back and watch it all happen� The effective control and coordination of work is also very important�
Execution can be broken down into a number of subphases, as follows:
• Preshutdown work • Shutting the plant down (removing inventory, decontaminating,
cooling, isolating) • Opening the plant up (physical disconnection of items and removal
of covers) • Inspecting the plant (visual and instrumental examination and
report); nondestructive testing etc� • Installation of new items; overhaul of existing items • Safety review during execution • Boxing the plant up (final inspection, replacement of covers, and
reconnection) • Daily meeting/communication • Monitoring and controlling • Joint integrity management • Plant testing (pressure tests, system tests, trip and alarm tests) • Starting the plant up (reconnecting services and reintroducing
inventory) • Plant cleanup and final inspection (removing all traces) of the
turnaround • Risk management
The kickoff meeting is the first in a series of team meetings� It is critical for team members because it provides a broad introduction to the shutdown� Among the topics covered at the meeting are planning, and the methods used to plan and execute the shutdown� In addition, team members are put through a series of exercises and discussions� At this time, they learn what lies ahead of them�
Everything anyone ever wanted to know about the shutdown is revealed at the kickoff meeting! It lays the groundwork for what lies ahead for the team� Working through the agenda, the shutdown manager explains procedures to be used to execute the shutdown� The team will learn that the shutdown is a collaborative venture� They will all participate in shutdown planning and share in achieving good communication within the shutdown, and they will learn that their expertise will be needed in creating the shutdown plan� They also will learn that in creating the plan, each team member can support the shutdown by going beyond his or her personal knowledge to query subject matter experts within their organization, by asking for help in developing the information they bring to planning meetings� Because it is important that every team member fully understands these points at the beginning of the shutdown, everyone on the team must attend this meeting!
