A good handover carries forward unresolved information without forcing the next guard to rediscover it.
At a glance
- Ontario basic security procedures include shift handover.
- Reports should support the handover with factual documentation.
- Only information relevant to the work should be shared, using authorized channels.
Use this as a planning checklist
A checklist is useful only when the answers become part of the actual assignment. Record the approved process, identify who can change it and make sure the people providing coverage can access the current version.
Questions to confirm
- What incidents or maintenance issues remain open?
- Are there temporary access changes or expected visitors?
- What follow-up is due on the next shift?
Picture this at your property
A door closer fails near shift end. The outgoing guard reports it and tells the incoming guard that maintenance is expected at 7 a.m., preventing the issue from being treated as new or forgotten.
The value of the example is the decision process: identify what is known, what remains uncertain, who has authority, and what information should be preserved for follow-up.
Practical takeaway
Use the questions above before coverage starts or when the current process is being reviewed. If an answer is unclear, make the responsibility explicit in the site instructions rather than leaving it to individual interpretation.
Official sources & verification
1. Section 3: Basic security procedures — Government of Ontario
2. Section 4: Report writing — Government of Ontario
3. Section 9: Effective communications — Government of Ontario
Last reviewed: 2026-08-08. This resource is general information for security planning and service discussions. It is not a guarantee that crime, loss, injury or other incidents will be prevented, and it does not replace a site-specific assessment, client instructions, emergency plans, regulator requirements, insurer requirements or legal advice.