Avoiding Common Repair Problems

The hero rides in on a white horse, or perhaps pushes a white maintenance cart. Quickly, he diagnoses the problem and begins the repair. But as he works, problems arise:

• Oops, I’m short one screw. You were careful to set all the screws on top of the cabinet (or perhaps on a rag). Now one’s missing.
  Solution: Use a coffee can or other container to drop screws into as you go. Use another container for other small parts.
• Please excuse me while I stop work to go get an o-ring and grease.
  Solution: Take note of what items you’ll need from the store room, as you disassemble things. Have a helper go get those while you do the repair. Post this list permanently at the machine (e.g., inside a cabinet) and in the CMMS for future repairs.
• Really, I didn’t know running the motor backwards would break that fixture.
  Solution: Always use a rotation tester when replacing a motor.
• I can’t remember which way this goes, can you?
  Solution: Photograph the steps in the process as you go. Later, if you can’t recall a step in the process then a quick look at a photo will keep you on track.