|
by Wynne Whyman, M.A., M.S.S
• |
Manage Time. Have staff do both reactive and preventive
maintenance. Do not focus energies only on what's visible, or reactive
maintenance. |
• |
Train staff in preventive maintenance. Staff need to be trained
in planning, setting up the record keeping for preventive maintenance
schedules, and implementing. |
• |
Have knowledgeable camp administrators. Management needs to understand
the value of preventive maintenance to: write requirements into
job descriptions, include in tactical plans, budget both reactive
and proactive monies, and acknowledge/reward staff for their preventive
maintenance work during the performance review process. |
Why Preventive Maintenance?
• |
Provides comfort, health, and safety of participants,
guests, volunteers, and employees. |
• |
Saves money. DuPont states, "Maintenance is the largest
single controllable expenditure." |
• |
Have knowledgeable camp administrators. Management needs to understand
the value of preventive maintenance to: write requirements into
job descriptions, include in tactical plans, budget both reactive
and proactive monies, and acknowledge/reward staff for their preventive
maintenance work during the performance review process. |
| |
– Saves energy costs. "Cleaning dirty refrigeration
coils can save 25% in operating cost and help to prevent early compressor
failure." (Pacific Energy Center Factsheet) |
| |
– Validates warranties. Some warranties state: "Failures
due to lack of maintenance may void your warranty." |
| |
– Reduces corrective maintenance calls. |
| |
– Extends life expectancy. |
| |
– Stops small problems from growing into larger ones. Noticing
a drainage problem outside a building is easier to correct than
a cracked foundation later. |
| • |
Prevents failure. Catching mistakes earlier and replacing old components
minimizes failure. |
• |
Helps you choose your downtime. Who wants to service an air conditioner
unit when it's 100 degrees outside? |
• |
Improves risk management. Writing a policy, enacting a regular
schedule, and documenting the work can help manage your risks. |
Originally published in the 2004 May/June issue
of Camping Magazine. |