In many cases when a critical motor fails, revenue is permanently lost every minute until it can be replaced. Critical motors may be air compressor motors, main conveyor drive motors, or even ventilation fan motors. The sense of urgency is almost palpable.
Failure of a fire pump motor similarly creates a sense of urgency. Sometimes, there’s a heightened vigilance during the replacement period. Other times, the risk of running without it means some processes are just shut down.
Under the pressure to get the new motor online, you could easily lose sight of just how dangerous it can be to get that motor from the store room (or loading dock) to the installation site and finally ready to run. You could, for example:
- Hurt your shoulder or back moving the motor.
- Get your fingers pinched in a sling.
- Slip on grease or other lubricant in the installation area.
- Encounter shock, arc flash, or arc blast while disconnecting or reconnecting the motor.
- Encounter other energy sources associated with the equipment the motor drives (e.g., hydraulic lines).
It’s not enough to “be careful.” You need to identify the specific potential hazards and protect yourself against them.
