At the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Define "maintenance"
- Identify examples of equipment maintenance in a production facility
- Identify and describe general maintenance guidelines for workers
- Identify and describe typical hazards presented to maintenance workers
- Describe three different methods to ensure the immobilization of equipment
- Describe maintenance guidelines for vehicles
- Describe safety guidelines for using hand tools such as pry bars, hammers, and axes
- Describe safety guidelines for using power tools and cutting torches
- Describe safety guidelines for welding, working on conveyors, and line breaking
- Describe good housekeeping practices
The following key questions are answered in this module:
What is equipment maintenance?
Equipment maintenance refers to work done to either repair an equipment problem, prevent the equipment from wearing down, or to make the equipment run better.
What are some general maintenance guidelines for workers to follow?
Workers should always proper PPE for the job and follow the correct procedures, report all leaks to avoid the possibility of slip, trip or fall hazards, never remove guards or safety devices from a machine, follow all standard operating procedures and lockout/Tagout procedures, use caution and maintain a safe distance when inspecting equipment.
What method should be used when transporting tools around the workplace?
When transporting tools around the workplace always carry sharp tools pointed downward or in a tool belt or tool box, secure tools when working above floor height, check that you have all your tools when finished.
How can workers reduce the risk of injury when maintaining vehicles?
When maintaining vehicles workers should wear the appropriate PPE for the job, provide proper ventilation when necessary, follow proper procedures around batteries, remember that some pneumatic and hydraulic systems remain pressurized even after the vehicle has been turned off so securely block vehicles against all hazardous movement, inspect and repair hydraulic hoses regularly, always test the operation of the vehicle after maintenance.
What are the risks created from maintenance with welding operations?
Welding operations create the risk of eye damage, burns, electric shock and exposure to fumes. Some of the things workers should do to avoid these risks are to assess the potential fire hazards or conditions that could create a hazardous situation, have a fire extinguisher within reach and easily accessible, place shields or barriers to protect nearby workers, wear the appropriate PPE, use fully-insulated electrode holders, do not weld in wet conditions, and turn off all equipment when not in use.
Below is a transcript of the video sample provided for this module:
Employees can be seriously injured and killed by hazardous machine movement during routine maintenance or repairs. The majority of these injuries can be prevented by immobilizing equipment and machinery using the following methods. Lockout/tagout, this method disconnects equipment from power sources, physically locks power switches or breakers in the off position and identifies the person responsible for the lock, indicates the date and describes the work being done. Blocking, this physically immobilizes equipment parts with pins, locks, and blocks. And managing keys, this limits access to ignition and start keys while repair and maintenance is taking place.
Use the additional resources and links below to learn more about this topic:
- U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) – www.osha.gov
- European Agency for Safety and Health at Work - https://osha.europa.eu/en/topics/maintenance/index_html
- NonProfitRisk.org - https://nonprofitrisk.org/tools/workplace-safety/nonprofit/c4/maintenance.htm
- FAA - Resources for Mechanics - http://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/onlineresources.aspx?categoryId=96&masterId=2&n=amt