Routine production plant maintenance is crucial in fast-moving, high-dollar, and high-competition verticals to meet the production goals and deadlines. Modern production facilities utilize technology, such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices to collect data and machine learning for data processing to streamline the production process. Despite the modernization and automation of the production system, direct human involvement is necessary to reduce downtime and wastage of raw materials. As a production manager, you need to adopt these maintenance strategies to reduce expenses, breakdowns, risk of accidents and increase efficiency and durability of production equipment.
OSHA-Compliant Risk Assessment
The implementation of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines is emphasized in a production facility to keep the production area free of serious recognized hazards. As a production manager, you must comply with all the relevant OSHA protocols and standards by carrying out a routine risk assessment. An OSHA-compliant risk assessment will help reduce downtime and prevent issues with OSHA officers who conduct random workplace inspections. Periodic inspection and maintenance of industrial equipment will lower the risk of workplace accidents.
Preventive Maintenance Tasks
Preventive maintenance aims to prevent equipment failure and lower the risk of accidents in a production facility. As a facility manager, you need to conduct planned, coordinated, and reliable preventive maintenance that involves cleaning, replacing, and repairing worn-out parts, complete overhauls, and lubrication. You should ensure that the production line equipment is operating efficiently. In addition, you should adjust the controls of your production equipment to optimize performance and energy efficiency.
Routine Boiler Maintenance
Large-scale production facilities utilize steam for cleaning and sterilization and heat source. Industrial boilers are water-containing vessels that help generate the steam needed in a production facility. The efficiency of an industrial boiler depends on the burnout, excess air, and exit temperature, which can be optimized through routine boiler service. A boiler service will ensure that your boiler operates efficiently and reduces heating fuel usage. In addition, boiler services will help cut your energy costs and reduce your carbon footprint.
Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM)
RCM is a highly strategic approach to production facility maintenance that aims to identify components that are likely to cause disruptions in the production process. Large-scale production facilities implement RCM to optimize the maintenance program of the facility. RCM cuts across maintenance tasks, including preventive, predictive, and nondestructive inspections to identify and monitor flows. Employing the RCM approach in your production line will increase efficiency, reduce costs, reduce downtime, and enhance productivity.
Running a production facility requires routine maintenance to optimize the production process. Facility managers ensure that a production line is highly efficient and experiences reduced downtime. A maintenance approach that involves boiler services, RCM, preventive maintenance tasks, and OSHA assessment helps streamline the production process.
Bio: Anita is a freelance writer from Denver, CO. She studied at Colorado State University, and now writes articles about health, business, family and finance. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family whenever she isn’t writing. You can follow her on Twitter @anitaginsburg.