Fix Frustration Factors — Part 5
Maintenance workers tend to be proud people. Proud not in the sense of vanity, but in the sense of doing quality work that makes a difference.
Suppose the conveyor on Line 3 is prone to jamming, and this causes the drive motor to overheat. Every few days, a maintenance tech responds to a jam-related trouble call. The maintenance techs have suggested several fixes, such as a motor torque switch to flash a light so operators know to clear the jam. Yet, no fix is ever implemented. The same work gets done repeatedly, sending the message that maintenance work has no value.
On another line, there is a repair that would be made easier with a jig that one of the maintenance techs made a prototype of. The jig would not only make the repair more accurate, but it would also prevent the accidental scratching of the enclosure. You send the prototype to a shop to make a proper jig, sending a clear and positive message to maintenance techs.
About the Author
Mark LamendolaMark Lamendola
Mark is an expert in maintenance management, having racked up an impressive track record during his time working in the field. He also has extensive knowledge of, and practical expertise with, the National Electrical Code (NEC). Through his consulting business, he provides articles and training materials on electrical topics, specializing in making difficult subjects easy to understand and focusing on the practical aspects of electrical work.
Prior to starting his own business, Mark served as the Technical Editor on EC&M for six years, worked three years in nuclear maintenance, six years as a contract project engineer/project manager, three years as a systems engineer, and three years in plant maintenance management.
Mark earned an AAS degree from Rock Valley College, a BSEET from Columbia Pacific University, and an MBA from Lake Erie College. He’s also completed several related certifications over the years and even was formerly licensed as a Master Electrician. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE and past Chairman of the Kansas City Chapters of both the IEEE and the IEEE Computer Society. Mark also served as the program director for, a board member of, and webmaster of, the Midwest Chapter of the 7x24 Exchange. He has also held memberships with the following organizations: NETA, NFPA, International Association of Webmasters, and Institute of Certified Professional Managers.