Written instructions make it clear.
Written directions given to maintenance tradesmen to reduce the chance of making an error and to reduce time spent looking for information are called job procedures or job instructions.
In the one document is listed:
- the individual steps to do the work safely.
- any special requirements of which the tradesman needs to know (such as tolerances for parts).
- all interactions with other trades to do the job.
- all external resources needed (like cranes or contracted specialists such as ultrasonic thickness testing).
- all the tools needed to complete the job.
- a complete parts list with drawings.
- an indication of the likely time to do the work.
- contact details of who to call of something unexpected happens.
This document saves time and effort as is contains all the information a tradesman needs to know to do the work. It is a ‘live’ document and is continually being up-dated as more is leant about the job and the equipment to which it applies.
Job instructions are normally compiled for routine work that regularly reoccurs. They can also be used for hazardous work that must be done carefully. They can be written to cover a half-hour job of a two-week outage.
The beauty of job instructions is the opportunity they provide to think through a job in great detail and plan it thoroughly for all future occasions. It is clearly a great way to save time and to pass on knowledge. This means the best person to write the procedure should be someone that knows the job well. This is usually a tradesman, leading hand or supervisor who has performed the work several times.
Take the person writing the procedure out from normal daily work and devote them to compiling the instructions. Though
the writing is time consuming this one document will save that time over and over again.
Procedures hasten training of new personnel, reduce breakdowns because equipment is rebuilt with full knowledge, save lost time on the job as all information is with the tradesman and provide confidence in the work being done.
*CMMS –Computerised Maintenance Management System
Mike Sondalini – Maintenance Engineer
If you found this interesting, you may like the ebook Process Control Essentials.
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