For many businesses, the concept of total productive maintenance (TPM) is what keeps their organizations running efficiently. Within this management method, the idea of autonomous maintenance is a core pillar.
Autonomous maintenance refers to the idea that individual workers are responsible for the upkeep of the tools and machinery they use every day on the job. Lean Manufacturing Tools explained that companies who operate outside of TPM often have their employees work until equipment starts to break, at which point the maintenance team steps in and assesses the damage.
This method often ends up being far more costly and time-consuming than autonomous maintenance. Organizations may need to acquire a temporary replacement for the broken machinery, or could have to halt production altogether while things are being fixed. Companies who apply the idea of autonomous maintenance, however, are able to take care of small issues as they arise and avoid any major, expensive problems.
Additionally, workers who are trained according to autonomous maintenance standards typically excel in three areas, noted TPMOnline.com. They’re able to determine when working conditions aren’t right, they’re capable of returning machinery to normal working conditions and they’re able to swiftly respond to whatever problems pop up in their work environments.
SOURCES
http://www.leanexpertise.com/TPMONLINE/articles_on_total_productive_maintenance/tpm/tpmprocess/autonomaintenance.htm
