Operational maintenance is a type of preventive maintenance that involves minor adjustments, cleaning, and inspections performed by equipment operators to extend the life of equipment and reduce downtime. It does not include major repairs or diagnoses and can be performed in any environment where machinery is used. Companies benefit from training operators to handle basic maintenance tasks, as it reduces accidents, prevents delays, and extends the life of equipment.
Operational maintenance is a type of preventive maintenance used to extend the life of equipment and maximize performance. It includes many types of minor adjustments, cleaning and inspections, depending on the machine. While major repairs are typically handled by trained technicians, operational maintenance is performed in the normal course of operations by the equipment operator himself. By training operators to handle these routine tasks, companies can help reduce downtime and reduce costs associated with repairs and replacement parts.
This form of preventative maintenance can be performed in any environment where machinery, equipment or vehicles are used. This may include manufacturing plants and factories as well as automotive shops. In many commercial buildings, heating and cooling engineers perform operational maintenance on furnaces, boilers and air conditioners.
Some operational maintenance responsibilities can be as simple as inspecting the machine for changes or problems. This allows the operator to detect a potential hazard, such as loose fasteners or debris that could contribute to an accident. Basic cleaning, including removing debris or excess grease from a machine, is also considered part of operational maintenance.
Depending on the type of equipment in use, operators may also be responsible for replacing worn filters or cartridges, or removing and replacing a worn belt, cutting tool, or grindstone. Operational maintenance can involve keeping machinery well lubricated to reduce the risk of friction or breakdown. Many basic machine adjustments required during operation also fall into this preventative maintenance category.
Operational maintenance does not include more complex repairs and diagnoses, which are left to specialized technicians. For example, most electrical breakdowns or shortages are left to the professionals rather than the operator. Also excluded from operational maintenance are the removal and replacement of large or dangerous components.
Companies enjoy a number of benefits when they train equipment operators to handle basic maintenance tasks. As the primary user of the machine, the operator generally knows the unique characteristics and qualities of that machine better than anyone and is better equipped to identify potential problems or modifications. By keeping your machine clean and running smoothly, you can help reduce accidents and danger to yourself and others. Operational maintenance also reduces the likelihood of machine failure, which helps prevent delays. Finally, by teaching the operator to handle basic tasks, the company can not only save on repair costs, but also extend the life of the equipment to reduce replacement costs over time.
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