If Maintenance is Ignored
When running a warehouse, there can be several different pieces of equipment you have to consistently check. Whether it’s on the assembly line, postproduction, or shipping, all these systems are vital and necessary. Eventually when things start to break due to general use, it can get overwhelming with the amount of work required to fix them. But, no matter how much effort is needed, it’s important to keep your machines in working order.
If systems are left in faulty conditions for a long stretch of time, this can cause you or your employees’ unnecessary hardship. Here, we’ll talk more about the consequences of what might happen if your hardware is left inoperable. First, we’ll mention a few issues that result from these malfunctions, such as any operational issues, financial costs, and safety concerns. Lastly, we’ll talk about the ways that Russell Conveyor can ease these burdens to make your life run smoother.
Operational Issues
The first set of problems that we’ll discuss are operational issues. Operational issues are any problems that deal with the mechanical failures of the machines. These difficulties are responsible for tearing up your current conveyor. Some of the most prominent results of leaving machinery unkept are:
- Belt mistracking
- Roller failure
- Motor overheating
- Reduced throughput
These are just to name a few. There are plenty more possibilities that could occur if your current machines are left unchecked. If these issues are left untreated, several problems could develop. A few examples of these problems include:
- Full conveyor failures
- Increased drag and stress on systems
- Reduced output
- Premature replacement
Financial Costs
The second set of issues that can plague your business is financial costs. Losing money from not keeping an eye on equipment has profound impacts on performance and return on investment. Furthermore, when machinery is left dysfunctional, it takes a toll on intangible costs like time, efficiency, and morale. Some of the most common costs include:
- Expensive downtimes
- High repair costs
- High replacement costs
These may not seem like a lot in the beginning, but overtime these expenses begin to add up. If they are left untreated, it can result in the following:
- Increased financial hardship
- Increased risk to customers
- Increased risk to staff
- Escalation to safety compliances
Safety Issues
The last of the concerns is any safety issues. As an employer, you want to promote a culture built around safety and consistently keep that culture persistent. By leaving your machines unchecked, you increase the likelihood of an accident occurring. Some of the major accidents that are closely associated with faulty equipment include:
- Entanglements and pinch injuries
- Fire or electrical hazards
- Slips and trips
- Material handling hazards
All these accidents have an increased chance of occurring if maintenance goes unchecked. This is serious as anyone could end up being put into a major medical situation. If these machines remain unchanged, then dangerous consequences could happen. The companies responsible could be penalized, or in some cases, the people who were managing the machinery and the employees. Some of the few results are:
- Regulatory penalties
- Legal liability
- Financial damages
- Reputation consequences
To prevent any of these injuries, it’s not only important to keep your equipment in check, but also your staff. Hold weekly or monthly meetings to refresh everyone’s memory on how some of the conveyors operate. By taking a few minutes, you could potentially save your employees from injury.
How Russell Conveyor Can Help
Russell Conveyor can help by implementing our services to take some of the responsibility off your plate. Our new Russell+ maintenance program allows your equipment to be monitored by professionals who have been in the industry for over 20 years. And if we find anything that may affect performance, our on the grounds technicians will fix it in no time. Currently with Russell+, we offer four different tiers:
- Core
- Professional
- Enterprise
- Enterprise+
Interested in learning how Russell+ can help your preventive maintenance needs, let’s talk about how we can save you time and effort at (336) 526-3014.
To learn more about maintenance check lists, look at this blog to decide what should be on your list.
To learn more about the fundamentals of maintenance, this blog explains all the basics.
FAQs about Ignored Conveyor Maintenance
Do you have any questions about conveyor maintenance after reading? Below we’ve answered some of the most common questions.
The best way to avoid conveyor maintenance is to keep a maintenance check list and consistantly look over it.
The worse the maintenance, the more likely the chance of major downtime. Once this happens, production stops and materials get wasted.
It depends on the maintenance issue, but the most common parts to go first are belts, rollers, and drive systems
Conveyors inspection rates differ for several factors, but consistently checking every week or month can prevent major problems.