Did you know that putting off routine equipment maintenance is actually costing you money?
It is, in the form of downtime.
In fact, we’re talking about six figures. If you’re one of the 30.2 million small businesses in the U.S., this can be catastrophic.
The good news is, you can prevent costly downtime. Even better news? We’re going to explain how.
Check out five items that must be on your industrial maintenance checklist.
1. Training is Power
Not only is keeping your employees well-trained good for production, but it’s also useful for safety purposes.
When you provide routine equipment training, your operators won’t cut corners. They’ll understand the importance of operating the machinery properly. They’ll learn that performing an inspection before every use benefits everyone.
For starters, operating the machinery will be safer. They’ll respect the equipment more, which eliminates improper use.
Make sure you hold your operators accountable for the machine. You likely have more than one operator, so each one will know they’re responsible for the equipment during their shift.
Accountability is a valid form of maintenance. Your employees will operate the machinery with more care.
2. Keep a Routine Checklist
Write a maintenance checklist for each piece of machinery. Train your employees to know how to check fluid levels, brakes, battery, wheels, and the electrical system.
Whether it’s a forklift or an overhead crane, each piece of equipment needs to be checked at the start of each shift.
3. Check for Signs of Wear
Checking for signs of wear and tear is the easiest form of maintenance. This includes inspecting tire tread and making sure there aren’t any warning lights on.
They need to check brake pads, and other perform other routine brake maintenance (click here for a comprehensive list).
Your employees must also make sure all fluids are topped off and that there aren’t any leaks.
Finally, they should inspect any forklift batteries for corrosion or leakage.
4. Clean Your Equipment
An industrial building is dirty and produces dust and other particles. It’s part of the job. No one expects your building to be as sanitized as a hospital.
But, your operators need to clean the equipment before their shift ends. When dust builds up in filters or your machinery, it can lead to breakdowns.
Furthering the issue is that dust doesn’t do damage on its own. When moisture comes into contact with dust, it can destroy vital parts of the machinery.
Wiping up any fluid spills is also essential. While your equipment needs certain fluids to operate properly, liquid isn’t your machine’s friend.
5. Store Everything the Right Way
When a shift ends, what currently happens in your facility? Do your operators leave the machines where they are? Do they even turn them off?
Some manufacturing equipment needs to run continuously for production purposes. But forklifts, cranes, and other machinery needs to get shut down after every shift.
They also need to get appropriately stored. Large machinery should always get stored in a covered, moisture-free area. If possible, climate-controlled is ideal.
This prevents moisture from getting to the components, causing corrosion or rust. It also keeps your machinery out of direct sunlight, which also will help it last longer.
The Key Factor in Industrial Maintenance
When it comes to industrial maintenance, several factors will keep your equipment in good working order. The most critical factor is scheduling routine service.
For example, at Kor-Pak, we perform overhead crane inspections to ensure heavy machinery is running at optimal performance.
This saves our clients money while also ensuring they’re compliant with safety regulations.
To learn about what other services we provide, visit our services page.