The purpose of a preventive maintenance program is to help stop equipment from breaking down and malfunctioning before it begins to show signs of wear. A good preventive maintenance program includes multiple checks of  the equipment over multiple time periods. So, there should be daily checks, weekly checks, monthly checks, and so forth. Manufacturer instructions and recommendations should be a consideration when establishing a preventive maintenance program, as well.

Preventive maintenance programs save employers money over time by extending the life of the company equipment. Equipment which is properly maintained is less likely to break down. For this reason, preventive maintenance programs also lessen the likelihood a piece of equipment will need to be repaired. This creates another cost savings opportunity.

But perhaps most importantly, preventive maintenance programs save employers money by creating a safer work environment. They create a safer work environment by creating a system which ensures that safety mechanisms are in place and functional. Just like machines can break down over time, so too can safety mechanisms on these machines.

OSHA requires routine maintenance of a number of different types of equipment. If this maintenance is not performed and you receive a citation relating to one of these machines, additional citations could be coming.

If you have any questions about how to establish a preventive maintenance program, or if you would like help in establishing that plan, please contact us. And if you have anything to add about the importance of a preventive maintenance program, please leave a comment.