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on Maintenance Reliability

A listing in reverse chronological order of these article series:


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How to Keep the Boss Out of Jail

How to Keep the Boss Out of Jail

Here’s a case where they didn’t know how to keep the boss out of jail! In Jan 2019, a mine tailing dam (the structure used to contain waste from mining operations) collapsed. The video below shows the event. 259 people were confirmed dead and 11 declared missing. Cause – liquefaction – a commonly occurring phenomenon, and one that this particular mine had been warned about. Outcome – fatalities and associated human cost, suspended operations (for a brief period), company reputation, criminal charges (executives and engineering consultants). Risk management is an often neglected part of our job. [Read more…]

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There’s More to Maintenance Software Than Work Orders

There’s More to Maintenance Software Than Work Orders

At its core, maintenance software is a tool that allows you to generate and schedule work orders and get the right people to do each job. Maintenance software automates paper processes by enabling people to create requests for maintenance work. Maintenance workers then enter the requests into the computerized maintenance management system software (CMMS), which generates the work orders. However, when it comes to the functions of a CMMS, work order generation is only the tip of the iceberg.

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The Keys To Successful RCM Implementation

The Keys To Successful RCM Implementation

If you have attended any Maintenance and Reliability conference in the last several years, chances are you have seen a presentation on the struggles of RCM implementation. Most present that over 70% of companies who attempt to get started with Reliability Centered Maintenance fail to implement the recommended mitigating tasks identified in their analysis.

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What Happened?

What Happened?

As many of you know, I have been encouraging my LI contacts for years to take me up on my offer to review any pictures they have of failed parts, and we would try and provide them some preliminary feedback. Well, someone finally took us op on the offer and we wanted to share what was learned (we obtained permission to do so providing the company name was not used).

Here was the original inquiry via LI instant messenger along with the pictures:

“Dear Sir, As per your advise, I’m sending you a photo of failed flange bolts. I belief they were failed due to fatigue. Could you please review them and identify/ label their failure mode. After your comments on this photo, I’ll put up a recommendation on my RCA. Looking forward to hear from you. Regards.”

[Read more…]

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Building a Recommended Course of Action

How to Translate an Assessment into an Action Plan

An assessment was performed and many opportunities identified, but it has been three months, and nothing has changed.   Does this sound familiar?  As discussed in a previous post, the goal of an assessment is to identify gap to best practices and provide the basis to develop a plan to move forward.   However, many times an assessment is performed, the results put into a binder and put on the shelf (does this sound like your RCM initiative?).
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Business Case Estimator Insights

Business Case Estimator Insights

Our business case estimator insights show you both savings and earnings potential for improvements in maintenance and reliability. If you are reading this, you probably think there is some opportunity to improve your operational reliability and maintenance performance. You might want to create a business case for change that you can use to get senior management approval and funding. You are in the right place. We’ve created the tools for you to do that, they are readily accessible and inexpensive (the first step is even free). After a period of isolation and/or skeleton staffing, you can probably see problems that may be more hidden when operating with a full staff. Now is a good time to address those to bring performance up as a part of your “new normal”. [Read more…]

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Is There a Direct Correlation Between Reliability & Safety?

Is There a Direct Correlation Between Reliability & Safety?

“Assumption 1: Safety is increased by increasing system or component reliability. If components or systems do not fail, then accidents will not occur. (p. 7)

This assumption is one of the most pervasive in engineering and other fields. The problem is that it is not true.

Safety is a system property, not a component property, and must be controlled at the system level, not the component level. 

New Assumption 1: High reliability is neither necessary nor sufficient for safety. (p.13)”

These statements were excerpted from Nancy Leveson’s “Engineering a Safer World“. 

This contradicts the common belief there is a direct correlation between Safety and Reliability. I personally, being in the Reliability field for 30+ years, believe there is a correlation between Reliability and Safety. But I would assert that it is not a direct correlation. 

[Read more…]

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Be Audit Ready: How to Ensure Your Maintenance Program Can Stand Up to Regulators

When was the last time you were involved with a regulatory body?  I can remember a time when a millwright was involved in an incident in our maintenance shop.  He was using a 20″-disc grinder when the piece of steel he was grinding got caught and pulled his hand into the grinding wheel.  He was off for a quite a few weeks, but he did not sustain any long-term injuries.
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What I’m learning about Online Training

What I’m learning about Online Training

Online training is actually a pretty good way to go! For me, that’s a revelation. The isolation and distancing measures being imposed due to the Corona Virus pandemic have been a game-changer in our business and personally. In the process of shifting training content to online formats, I’ve learned a lot.

My conclusion is that online training isn’t just an alternative to the “real thing”, it can actually be a better experience.

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A Mechanic’s Story: Basic Component Fatigue

A Mechanic’s Story: Basic Component Fatigue

In past articles, we have explored the basics of Erosion, Corrosion, Fatigue and Overload. Our emphasis has been on creating an awareness and appreciation for the value of failed components, to any investigation.

In this article we are going to delve into Fatigue a little bit more (because it is the most common fracture pattern) and see how we can use an evidence-based, deductive logic process to determine what elements of Fatigue may have been at play. We are trying to create an intellectual curiosity within the front lines about ‘making the call’…is it Fatigue, or some other fracture pattern?

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What is Precision Maintenance?

Precision Maintenance May Be The Key To Unlocking Reliability

Why is it that some individuals perform a PM Routine and always find something and others don’t? And why is that when some individuals perform a rebuild or overhaul, the equipment struggles to start and return to steady state? The answer comes down to how detailed the individuals are during the maintenance activity. But how can this be overcome with such a wide range of individuals in the maintenance team? The answer is precision maintenance [Read more…]