Errors and production disturbances in advanced manufacturing systems (AMS) can result in large production losses, deteriorated quality, and lower safety. As disturbance handling is of increasing importance in AMS, the aim of this paper is to identify problem areas related to the involvement of different actors in disturbance handling. Results from a case study at an automated car-body assembly manufacturer point out unstructured work procedures, limitations in IT-support tools, lack of co-operation between personnel, etc. In disturbance handling, it is found that the operator has an increasingly important role and needs continuous training and support to be able to up-date the situation awareness and to efficiently co-ordinate with specialised trouble-shooters. Also, strategies for IT support are necessary as the dynamic features require user-adapted information and co-ordinated IT-support tools.