Planned or preventive maintenance is an inevitable process that helps companies keep their equipment up and running at all times. Ranging from day-to-day inspections and minor repairs to lubrication, preventive maintenance can include a number of tasks. Without proper maintenance, it’s not possible to get the most from your industrial equipment.
Industries which have a sound maintenance plan in place don’t have to wait until their equipment breaks down because they service the equipment on time. In a competitive environment, it is critical to prevent any unplanned downtime and expensive costs from unanticipated failure.
Preventive maintenance can be a daunting process for companies with heavy equipment. The IT industry has developed preventive maintenance software to help large companies meet their complex preventive maintenance needs. However, it requires professional expertise to schedule and execute preventive maintenance procedures which improve the reliability of equipment and minimize the chance of a failure.
A comprehensive preventive maintenance program is not limited to performing repair or lubrication-related activities, it also includes keeping an accurate record of every servicing, inspection activity and the expected lifespan of machines to understand the replacement frequency. These activities are important when it comes to anticipating the right time to change parts and diagnose mechanical issues. In addition, the use of computer applications to save and organize information can make your maintenance program more efficient. The following are steps that will help you create streamlined preventive maintenance processes:
Examine your equipment
It can be time-consuming, but an important step towards maintenance improvement. You can start with documenting details about each piece of machinery such as the history of repairs, downtime costs, life expectancy, operating condition, and how often a machine is in operation or total hours of operation. This information will help you determine the viability of replacement costs, improved safety, and efforts needed to maintain the equipment.
Assess employees skills
Once you have examined your equipment, consider the human element. A well-trained, adequate staff is essential to industrial operational efficiency. The following questions will help you understand where you stand in terms of human resource:
- Do you have dedicated technicians to carry out regular maintenance?
- Is your staff trained enough to handle complex maintenance tasks?
- How do you hold your employees accountable for their responsibilities?
- Do you need a third party service to maintain your facility?
Schedule and inspect
It is important for your employees understand your preventive maintenance goals. Devise a strategy to properly schedule and assign tasks to each staff member responsible for maintenance-related activities. It is a good idea to communicate with experienced employees because they often have the insights which can help you improve inspection and other maintenance processes. Conclusively speaking, document everything: work orders, maintenance histories, equipment guidelines, repairs, etc.
If you do not have the in-house resources to implement an effective preventive maintenance program, hire a company which provides dependable preventive maintenance services.
About us
Quality Millwright is a full-service millwright shop in Edmonton. We provide a broad range of preventive maintenance, machining, fabrication, project management, and electrical services. Visit our website for more information!
