Page 61 - Boiler Operator’s Handbook

46 Boiler Operator’s Handbook

loose pages. A bound book with consecutively num- Operator’s log—A paper document that contains consecu-
bered or dated pages is the best type of log book. Con- tive dated entries made by the plant operators to
trary to what one might believe, handwritten paper logs describe activity on their shift or watch. The log
have survived many of the worst boiler plant incidents, can contain a record of data readings recorded by
being lost only when the entire plant was destroyed. the operator along with a narrative on activities
Others have survived a plant burnt down although the undertaken by the operator, a record of visitors,
edges of every page was burned back. contractors, and others that visited the plant, work
Most importantly, if ever required as evidence in performed by contractors, problems encountered,
court, it should survive scrutiny. A judge or jury will be etc. Of all documents this one must be arranged
confident that the document wasn’t tampered with or to survive as a legal document of what occurred
altered, believing the document is factual and represen- in the boiler plant. It should not be alterable nor
tative of what the operator recorded. Loose pages and altered absent of signature. If an operator decides
electronic data can be altered readily without evidence to change what he has written in the log he should
of that alteration so they are not considered a legal re- do so according to prescribed procedures discussed
cord. When you are facing a law suit it’s too late to cre- later.
ate a log. And, in today’s litigious society it’s foolish to
think that you’ll never be sued. Water treatment log—A paper document that contains
On the other hand, your maintenance of a log a record of water analysis and water chemical
could support your employer’s claim against a contrac- additions. This document could be part of the
tor or manufacturer or even be the basis for a claim by operator’s log if desired but normally consists of
your spouse in the event you’re injured or killed. A log forms prepared by the water treatment service
is more than just a piece of paper you have to fill out, it’s organization.
every operator’s responsibility to maintain one.
The best log today is a combination of electronic Maintenance and repair log—Documents that constitute a
data, printed records and handwritten logs. The hand- record of maintenance and repair of everything in
written log can contain data that isn’t stored electroni- the plant. This log should be arranged to facilitate
cally or it can include that data as an original source that locating the information. There’s more on this log
is subsequently entered into an electronic database by in the documentation and maintenance sections.
the operator. There is no need to put all data on a single
piece of media. Visitor’s log—A paper document recording the signatures
As technology continues to develop, an electronic of visitors to the plant. Normally unnecessary un-
database will eventually eliminate the handwritten log. less the plant has a great number of visitors on
An electronic log that could eliminate the handwritten regular occasions which would clutter the opera-
log should consist of a non-erasable media (such as a tor’s log.
CDR) with provisions for the operator to record all perti-
nent data in concert with electronic data storage. The log Contractor’s log—A paper document recording the signa-
should be duplicated in another location to preserve it tures of contractors working in the plant. Normally
and should also be on non-erasable media. One or more unnecessary unless the plant has a great number
could store the electronic data normally captured by re- of contractors regularly working in the plant so
corders and data loggers while another could store data the information would clutter the operator’s log.
entered by the operator. Password control can provide
the equivalent of the operator’s signature. Unless the Recorder charts—All charts from recorders are a part of
data are secure and duplicates exist at a location outside the plant log. They provide a continuous record of
the plant where they’re not exposed to the same oppor- pressures, temperatures, and levels that would nor-
tunities for damage don’t abandon a paper log. mally be recorded at intervals in the operator’s log.
These are normally paper documents that show
Types of Logs values for pressures, temperatures, and levels
A boiler plant log can consist of many documents over a twenty-four-hour period or a week. Some
and devices that, as a group, constitute the log. Typical recorder charts span a month and strip charts can
documents that form a log as of the writing of this book easily hold data for three months.
include: