How secure and compliant is your facility when it comes to infectious waste management? Every day, industries like pharmaceuticals, construction, and manufacturing face the daunting task of managing materials that could pose serious health risks to humans and the environment. With stringent regulations in place and the constant advancement in waste management technologies, it’s essential to stay ahead of the curve. But are your current waste management protocols robust enough to protect and prevent, or are they just barely meeting the minimum standards?
Infectious waste management is a critical area of focus for maintenance and reliability teams across various sectors, including manufacturing, construction, and pharmaceuticals. Each of these industries faces unique challenges due to the nature of their waste, which can include biological hazards, contaminated sharps, and chemical residues.
Understanding Infectious Waste
Manufacturing Facilities
In manufacturing settings, especially those involved in the production of medical devices, chemicals, or biological products, infectious waste can be generated in several forms:
Biological Waste: This includes any waste products contaminated with potentially infectious materials like blood, body fluids, or other microbiological cultures.
Sharps Waste: Any discarded sharp instruments such as needles, blades, or glass that may be contaminated with pathogens.
Chemical Waste: Certain manufacturing processes might involve chemicals that, while not infectious themselves, could become hazardous when mixed with biological agents.
Construction Sites
While construction sites are not typically associated with infectious waste, there can be exceptions, particularly in renovation or demolition settings that involve healthcare facilities or laboratories:
Asbestos and Other Contaminants: Not infectious per se, but handling asbestos or similar materials can pose health risks and requires similar stringent control measures.
Contaminated Equipment: Tools and machinery that have been used in a healthcare environment might carry infectious agents.
Biological Hazard: In cases where construction sites encroach on areas previously used for medical waste disposal, workers might inadvertently come into contact with remnants of infectious waste.
Pharmaceutical Facilities
Pharmaceutical production sites handle a variety of biological agents and are significant generators of infectious waste:
Pharmaceutical Waste: This includes expired, unused, contaminated, or otherwise discarded medicines and vaccines, which may contain live viruses or other infectious organisms.
Laboratory Waste: Cultures and stocks of infectious agents from research and development labs, discarded live and attenuated vaccines, and associated materials.
Genetic Material: Some pharmaceutical processes involve genetic manipulation, creating waste that may pose biohazards.
By clearly understanding the types of infectious waste typical to their industry, maintenance, and reliability teams can develop more effective risk assessments and management protocols, reducing the potential for occupational exposure and environmental contamination.
Regulatory Compliance and Best Practices
Understanding and Navigating Compliance Requirements
Compliance with regulatory standards is crucial in managing infectious waste, as these regulations are designed to protect public health and the environment. In the United States, for instance, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) set and enforce standards that must be adhered to. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) provides guidelines that many countries adopt or adapt.
Organizations must stay updated with these regulations, which can frequently change as new health data and technologies emerge. Compliance involves several key components:
Regular Training: Ensuring that all team members are educated about the latest regulations and understand the legal requirements for handling, storing, and disposing of infectious waste.
Documentation and Record Keeping: Maintaining accurate records of waste handling and disposal processes is essential for compliance. These records should be easily accessible for regulatory inspections.
Audit and Risk Assessments: Regular audits help identify any non-compliance issues or operational weaknesses. Risk assessments should be conducted to evaluate the potential hazards associated with handling infectious waste and to implement mitigating strategies effectively.
Implementing Best Practices
Best practices in infectious waste management encompass more than compliance; they include strategies and procedures that exceed the minimum requirements to ensure safety and efficiency:
Advanced Segregation Techniques: Effective segregation is critical in managing infectious waste. It involves using different containers for different types of waste, clearly labeling them, and training staff to understand which materials go into which containers.
Innovative Treatment Methods: Employing state-of-the-art treatment technologies that are best suited to the type of waste generated. For instance, autoclaving is preferred for microbiological waste, while chemical treatment might be better suited for pharmaceutical waste.
Partnerships with Certified Disposal Firms: Working with reputable waste disposal firms that are certified and comply with all relevant regulations ensures that waste handling continues to adhere to high standards beyond the point of generation.
Autoclaves
Advanced Technologies for Infectious Waste Treatment
Infectious waste treatment technologies have evolved significantly, offering various methods that can be tailored to the specific needs of an industry. Understanding these technologies not only aids in compliance but also enhances safety and efficiency.
Autoclaving is one of the most common and effective methods for treating infectious waste. It uses steam at high pressure and temperature to sterilize waste materials, making them safe for further handling or disposal. This method is particularly suitable for treating sharps, laboratory cultures, and waste contaminated with bodily fluids.
Microwave treatment employs microwave energy to heat waste, achieving sterilization and volume reduction. This method is effective for treating both dry and moist waste and is appreciated for its speed and efficiency. Microwave treatment can be particularly advantageous in settings where quick processing of smaller batches of waste is required.
Plasma pyrolysis represents a cutting-edge approach that uses plasma torches to decompose organic waste at extremely high temperatures. This not only destroys biological hazards but also converts waste into inert gases and slag, with the slag potentially being used as construction aggregate. The high energy requirement and operational complexity make this suitable for facilities processing large volumes of waste.
These technologies, when chosen and implemented correctly, can significantly mitigate the risks associated with handling infectious waste, reduce the volume of waste needing disposal, and in some cases, repurpose the byproducts safely.
Enhancing Safety Through Rigorous Protocols and Training
The cornerstone of effective infectious waste management is a well-trained team that understands and rigorously adheres to safety protocols. Maintenance and reliability teams must be equipped not only with knowledge but also with the practical skills necessary to manage risks effectively.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Regular training sessions should be conducted to ensure all team members understand the correct use of PPE, including gloves, masks, gowns, and goggles. These sessions should also cover the proper procedures for donning and doffing PPE to avoid contamination.
Emergency Response Training: Accidents, such as spills or accidental exposure to infectious agents, require immediate and effective response. Training programs should include realistic simulations that help team members react swiftly and correctly in emergencies, minimizing potential health risks.
Regular Audits and Refresher Courses: To reinforce safety protocols and ensure they are being followed, regular audits should be conducted. Additionally, refresher courses can keep all team members up-to-date on the latest safety practices and technological advances, encouraging continual improvement.
By emphasizing thorough training and strict adherence to safety protocols, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of infection and injury, ensuring a safer workplace for all.
Promoting Sustainability in Infectious Waste Management
Integrating sustainability into the management of infectious waste not only aids in reducing environmental impact but can also offer economic benefits to organizations through the innovative use of technologies and strategies.
Waste Minimization: One of the primary strategies is to reduce the volume of waste generated. This can be achieved by improving efficiency in processes and reducing unnecessary use of materials that may become contaminated.
Waste-to-Energy Processes: For waste that must be disposed of, waste-to-energy technologies offer a way to convert harmful waste into usable energy. Techniques such as incineration can generate heat, electricity, or fuel from waste, significantly lowering the amount of waste sent to landfills.
Recycling and Repurposing: Non-infectious components of waste can sometimes be recycled or repurposed. For example, the metals from discarded machinery or equipment can be recycled, reducing the need for new materials and decreasing the environmental footprint of waste disposal.
Promoting sustainable practices in infectious waste management not only complies with environmental regulations but also aligns with broader corporate responsibility goals, contributing to a more positive public image and potentially reducing disposal costs.
Creating a Culture of Safety and Compliance
Leadership and Commitment
The creation of a safety-oriented culture starts with leadership. Management must not only enforce compliance and safety practices but also actively participate in and advocate for these practices. This commitment should be visible and communicated through regular updates, participation in training sessions, and open discussions about safety and compliance.
Continuous Education and Engagement about Infectious Waste Management
Education is an ongoing process. Regular workshops, seminars, and drills should be held to keep everyone updated on the latest practices and technologies. Engaging employees in safety audits and compliance checks can also foster a sense of responsibility and ownership over workplace safety.
Feedback Mechanisms: Implementing open channels for feedback allows employees to report potential issues without fear of repercussion and suggest improvements. This can significantly enhance safety procedures and encourage proactive compliance.
Reward and Recognition Programs: Recognizing and rewarding compliance and safety excellence can motivate employees to adhere to best practices and act responsibly. This could be through formal recognition programs or informal acknowledgments of good practices.
Integrating Safety into Daily Operations
Safety and compliance should be integrated into every aspect of daily operations rather than being seen as an additional task. This integration can be achieved by:
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Developing and updating SOPs that incorporate safety and compliance measures ensures that these practices are embedded in everyday activities.
Toolbox Talks: Short, informal safety meetings (known as toolbox talks) can be held regularly to discuss specific safety topics relevant to the team’s current tasks or environments. This keeps safety at the forefront of daily operations.
Creating a culture of safety and compliance in managing infectious waste is not only about meeting regulatory requirements but also about building an environment where safety is prioritized and valued at all levels of the organization. This approach not only ensures the well-being of employees but also protects the organization from legal risks and enhances its reputation.
Author Bio
Vaibhav Garg is a content manager at BioMedical Waste Solutions (BMWS) with seven years of experience specializing in biomedical waste management. This article includes insights from Wes Soner, President at BMWS, enhancing its practical relevance and depth.
Because maintenance departments are often recognized as caretakers of company safety initiatives, they're inundated with all things safety: messages, procedures, meetings, checks, equipment, training and permits, etc. Despite their good intentions, however, some maintenance professionals still get hurt on the job. To understand why, we need only to draw a parallel with automobile accidents.
Because maintenance departments are often recognized as caretakers of company safety initiatives, they're inundated with all things safety: messages, procedures, meetings, checks, equipment, training and permits, etc. Despite their good intentions, however, some maintenance professionals still get hurt on the job. To understand why, we need only to draw a parallel with automobile accidents.
Work-related deaths at U.S. manufacturing plants declined 14.0 percent in 2007, marking a rebound from the 16.0 percent increase that occurred in 2006. This was among the findings of the new Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries report released recently by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Work-related deaths at U.S. manufacturing plants declined 14.0 percent in 2007, marking a rebound from the 16.0 percent increase that occurred in 2006. This was among the findings of the new Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries report released recently by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.
For management, new and untrained employees present a different set of costly challenges. For example, productivity will drop due to lost time, there may be overtime expenses, insurance costs will rise and there can be potential lost customer sales. Worker's compensation claims will also increase and lead to higher premiums. How can these problems be avoided? What are some steps that can be put in place to help alleviate these concerns for new and untrained workers already in the workforce? Ideally, health and safety programs that offer basic training will fit the bill quite nicely. New and untrained workers need to learn about personal protective equipment (PPE), back-injury prevention, health and safety regulations and hazard recognition.
For management, new and untrained employees present a different set of costly challenges. For example, productivity will drop due to lost time, there may be overtime expenses, insurance costs will rise and there can be potential lost customer sales. Worker's compensation claims will also increase and lead to higher premiums. How can these problems be avoided? What are some steps that can be put in place to help alleviate these concerns for new and untrained workers already in the workforce? Ideally, health and safety programs that offer basic training will fit the bill quite nicely. New and untrained workers need to learn about personal protective equipment (PPE), back-injury prevention, health and safety regulations and hazard recognition.
The challenge of managing the aspects of occupational health and safety (OH&S) in the workplace can often times feel overwhelming. There are many legal, moral and financial reasons for you to pay attention to OH&S obligations. With all of these challenges, it's important not to waste time, money or place efforts on things that simply don't work. In terms of successfully managing OH&S issues, the following Top 10 list includes some of the common errors that organizations make.
The challenge of managing the aspects of occupational health and safety (OH&S) in the workplace can often times feel overwhelming. There are many legal, moral and financial reasons for you to pay attention to OH&S obligations. With all of these challenges, it's important not to waste time, money or place efforts on things that simply don't work. In terms of successfully managing OH&S issues, the following Top 10 list includes some of the common errors that organizations make.
The issuance of safety eyewear to employees requires more than a handout. An important thing to remember when issuing safety eyewear is that in order to put your safety program into action, you need to communicate and educate your employees. Merely handing out free safety goggles and glasses and saying "wear these when you are working or else..." will only get you so far. Employees need to know why it is important to wear protective eyewear, and they need you to make it easy for them to do so effectively. It often helps to recite employee eye injury statistics to show workers the reality of the hazards around them, and give them a starting point for improvement.
The issuance of safety eyewear to employees requires more than a handout. An important thing to remember when issuing safety eyewear is that in order to put your safety program into action, you need to communicate and educate your employees. Merely handing out free safety goggles and glasses and saying "wear these when you are working or else..." will only get you so far. Employees need to know why it is important to wear protective eyewear, and they need you to make it easy for them to do so effectively. It often helps to recite employee eye injury statistics to show workers the reality of the hazards around them, and give them a starting point for improvement.
With literally thousands of dangerous materials being used/transported/discarded every day, the process of choosing protective clothing has become increasingly complex for today's safety and hygiene professional. It is important to understand the distinction between three broad types of protective garments used today. Generally classified as disposable, reusable, and limited-use garments, these three general categories provide a basic framework for clothing decisions.
With literally thousands of dangerous materials being used/transported/discarded every day, the process of choosing protective clothing has become increasingly complex for today's safety and hygiene professional. It is important to understand the distinction between three broad types of protective garments used today. Generally classified as disposable, reusable, and limited-use garments, these three general categories provide a basic framework for clothing decisions.
Life without standards would result in near chaos for both manufactures and consumers. Just think if you could not rely on the strength of a critical fastener in an aircraft fuselage, the quality of the glass in a high rise building, the voltage fluctuation of the electrical grid at a faraway vacation destination, a crucial replacement for an electrical motor, the purity of a critical medication or the mere annoyance of not finding a correct battery for that digital camera. In short, as consumers, we would soon notice the lack of standards when the safety, quality, fit, reliability and compatibility of the products we consume, purchase and rely on are compromised.
Life without standards would result in near chaos for both manufactures and consumers. Just think if you could not rely on the strength of a critical fastener in an aircraft fuselage, the quality of the glass in a high rise building, the voltage fluctuation of the electrical grid at a faraway vacation destination, a crucial replacement for an electrical motor, the purity of a critical medication or the mere annoyance of not finding a correct battery for that digital camera. In short, as consumers, we would soon notice the lack of standards when the safety, quality, fit, reliability and compatibility of the products we consume, purchase and rely on are compromised.
We as safety professionals aren't exempt. Have you seen this: Workers don't change their actions? Tell them again (with a why-didn't-you-listen undertone). Policies and procedures not followed? Write additional (and more detailed) rules. Training didn't change their behavior? Put them through the same training again and again (until they "get it"). Try, try, try again to solve safety problems, but don't confuse persistence with obstinancy.
We as safety professionals aren't exempt. Have you seen this: Workers don't change their actions? Tell them again (with a why-didn't-you-listen undertone). Policies and procedures not followed? Write additional (and more detailed) rules. Training didn't change their behavior? Put them through the same training again and again (until they "get it"). Try, try, try again to solve safety problems, but don't confuse persistence with obstinancy.
The true translation — might it be proper to say a new and improved translation? — is being used today by Cervecería Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma, one of the largest brewers of beer in Latin America. Known throughout this company as Mantenimiento Alto Desempeño (MAD), or translated as High-Performance Maintenance, the concept of TPM is alive and well at the company's six plants in Mexico. Perhaps the best example is at CCM's brewery in Tecate, located a short drive from the U.S.-Mexico border on the Baja California peninsula.
The true translation — might it be proper to say a new and improved translation? — is being used today by Cervecería Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma, one of the largest brewers of beer in Latin America. Known throughout this company as Mantenimiento Alto Desempeño (MAD), or translated as High-Performance Maintenance, the concept of TPM is alive and well at the company's six plants in Mexico. Perhaps the best example is at CCM's brewery in Tecate, located a short drive from the U.S.-Mexico border on the Baja California peninsula.
For the most part, we can describe in fairly exacting detail the functional components of a strong reliability program. Moreover, we are confident that implementing these reliability practices will yield results that benefit virtually every aspect of our business and provide distinct competitive advantage. However, we seldom see these reliability practices and results in an operating plant. This is what I call the Reliability Paradox.
For the most part, we can describe in fairly exacting detail the functional components of a strong reliability program. Moreover, we are confident that implementing these reliability practices will yield results that benefit virtually every aspect of our business and provide distinct competitive advantage. However, we seldom see these reliability practices and results in an operating plant. This is what I call the Reliability Paradox.
Results-oriented organizations focus first on the quality and volume of production throughput, followed closely by the cost to produce the required quality and volume. This approach will improve reliability performance, which will drive manufacturing costs down.
Results-oriented organizations focus first on the quality and volume of production throughput, followed closely by the cost to produce the required quality and volume. This approach will improve reliability performance, which will drive manufacturing costs down.
It never ceases to amaze me that no matter what industry you are in or how big or small of a company you work for, success is dependent on the ability to find, attract, hire, manage, develop and retain the right people. I continue to see companies disproportionately dedicate more focus and investment into non-people issues such as technology or equipment than focusing on getting “the right people on the bus.” I haven’t quite figured out why, but I believe it could boil down to one of three reasons:
It never ceases to amaze me that no matter what industry you are in or how big or small of a company you work for, success is dependent on the ability to find, attract, hire, manage, develop and retain the right people. I continue to see companies disproportionately dedicate more focus and investment into non-people issues such as technology or equipment than focusing on getting “the right people on the bus.” I haven’t quite figured out why, but I believe it could boil down to one of three reasons:
Novozymes North America, Franklinton, North Carolina, a company with Scandinavian roots and management style won the coveted North American Maintenance Excellence Award (NAME) 2000. A reporter (Michael Lippig) recently paid Owe Forsberg, Maintenance Manager, Novozymes North America, a visit to see how this came about.
Novozymes North America, Franklinton, North Carolina, a company with Scandinavian roots and management style won the coveted North American Maintenance Excellence Award (NAME) 2000. A reporter (Michael Lippig) recently paid Owe Forsberg, Maintenance Manager, Novozymes North America, a visit to see how this came about.
In most businesses, success is easily measured by looking at the bottom line; but what’s the bottom line in the maintenance business? To better understand how to evaluate maintenance business performance, it’s helpful to examine how businesses generate profits. Quite simply, businesses generate profits by providing goods and/or services at minimum cost and sold at a fair market price. Obviously, revenues generated from sales must exceed the costs. It is important to note that the customer determines the fair market price.
In most businesses, success is easily measured by looking at the bottom line; but what’s the bottom line in the maintenance business? To better understand how to evaluate maintenance business performance, it’s helpful to examine how businesses generate profits. Quite simply, businesses generate profits by providing goods and/or services at minimum cost and sold at a fair market price. Obviously, revenues generated from sales must exceed the costs. It is important to note that the customer determines the fair market price.
When a forced layoff takes place in a unionized environment, the latest employees, in this case the apprentices were laid off; the plant had to lay off its future employees. Even sadder is that only four months after the lay offs the plant had to hire back many of the people they laid off. Many of them worked for a contractor who had contracted them to the plant after they were laid off! Soon this plant will start talking about a new improvement initiative and new management will wonder why it is so difficult to get people committed to improvement initiatives.
When a forced layoff takes place in a unionized environment, the latest employees, in this case the apprentices were laid off; the plant had to lay off its future employees. Even sadder is that only four months after the lay offs the plant had to hire back many of the people they laid off. Many of them worked for a contractor who had contracted them to the plant after they were laid off! Soon this plant will start talking about a new improvement initiative and new management will wonder why it is so difficult to get people committed to improvement initiatives.
You can develop, document, and preach your improvement plans as much as you want, but if those plans do not result in better front line maintenance performance, you have just wasted money and time. Maintenance managers cannot produce expected results without the help of others, especially the frontline. Those organizations that have experimented with autonomous teams lacking front line leadership often fail to deliver sustainable results. If you believe this statement is wrong, I am very interested in hearing back from you.
You can develop, document, and preach your improvement plans as much as you want, but if those plans do not result in better front line maintenance performance, you have just wasted money and time. Maintenance managers cannot produce expected results without the help of others, especially the frontline. Those organizations that have experimented with autonomous teams lacking front line leadership often fail to deliver sustainable results. If you believe this statement is wrong, I am very interested in hearing back from you.
Probably 80% of all testing. performed in electrical power systems is related to the verification of insulation quality. This Cadick Corporation Technical Bulletin briefly describes the fundamental concepts of insulation testing including – insulation behavior, types of tests, and some test procedures. For more detailed information, refer to the bibliography at the end of the paper.
Probably 80% of all testing. performed in electrical power systems is related to the verification of insulation quality. This Cadick Corporation Technical Bulletin briefly describes the fundamental concepts of insulation testing including – insulation behavior, types of tests, and some test procedures. For more detailed information, refer to the bibliography at the end of the paper.
The latest ARC Advisory Group study of the enterprise asset management (EAM/CMMS) software market profiles more than 80 maintenance application suppliers. This number of choices is enough to make any plant manager shudder. How can you pick the tool that is right for you? The tug-of-war between decision makers can make or break the success of an EAM/CMMS implementation. This article addresses the delicate balance of wants and needs, and how they apply in the application selection process.
The latest ARC Advisory Group study of the enterprise asset management (EAM/CMMS) software market profiles more than 80 maintenance application suppliers. This number of choices is enough to make any plant manager shudder. How can you pick the tool that is right for you? The tug-of-war between decision makers can make or break the success of an EAM/CMMS implementation. This article addresses the delicate balance of wants and needs, and how they apply in the application selection process.
This paper presents an overview of an integrated process for system maintenance, fault diagnosis and support. The solution is based on Qualtech System, Inc.’s (QSI’s) TEAMS toolset for integrated diagnostics and involves several key innovations. As a showcase of the integrated solution, QSI, along with Antech Systems and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), have recently completed a research project for the Information Technology Branch at the Naval Air Warfare Center–Aircraft Division (NAWC-AD) in St. Inigoes, MD. The entire system, termed ADAPTS (Adaptive Diagnostic And Personalized Technical Support), provides a comprehensive solution to integrated maintenance and training.
This paper presents an overview of an integrated process for system maintenance, fault diagnosis and support. The solution is based on Qualtech System, Inc.’s (QSI’s) TEAMS toolset for integrated diagnostics and involves several key innovations. As a showcase of the integrated solution, QSI, along with Antech Systems and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), have recently completed a research project for the Information Technology Branch at the Naval Air Warfare Center–Aircraft Division (NAWC-AD) in St. Inigoes, MD. The entire system, termed ADAPTS (Adaptive Diagnostic And Personalized Technical Support), provides a comprehensive solution to integrated maintenance and training.
In Total Productive Maintenance small group activities are interwoven in each other. Autonomous maintenance is one of the most important pillars of TPM. Autonomous maintenance aims to educate the participants in the concepts and philosophy of autonomous maintenance and to give m opportunity to develop their skills and confidence. Read the learn why implementing TPM to improve OEE was recommended to the plant in question.
In Total Productive Maintenance small group activities are interwoven in each other. Autonomous maintenance is one of the most important pillars of TPM. Autonomous maintenance aims to educate the participants in the concepts and philosophy of autonomous maintenance and to give m opportunity to develop their skills and confidence. Read the learn why implementing TPM to improve OEE was recommended to the plant in question.
The moral: Even when you think you have found the best solution, put the problem aside and then ponder it again. A fresh look may lead to an even better solution. As for the integral desuperheater, it is too elegant a solution to go to waste. Perhaps you may have a use for it.
The moral: Even when you think you have found the best solution, put the problem aside and then ponder it again. A fresh look may lead to an even better solution. As for the integral desuperheater, it is too elegant a solution to go to waste. Perhaps you may have a use for it.
The following is a Maintainability Design Checklist for coal mining equipment. The purpose of the checklist is to provide a summary of design review points for the maintainability assessment of new or existing underground equipment. It specifically focuses on the identification of equipment design features, tasks, or procedures that impact equipment downtime, repair costs, labor hours and maintainer skill level requirements.
The following is a Maintainability Design Checklist for coal mining equipment. The purpose of the checklist is to provide a summary of design review points for the maintainability assessment of new or existing underground equipment. It specifically focuses on the identification of equipment design features, tasks, or procedures that impact equipment downtime, repair costs, labor hours and maintainer skill level requirements.
You have four opportunities to trouble shoot centrifugal pumps and each opportunity can offer you a clue as to what is wrong with the pump. Let's take a look at each of these conditions:
You have four opportunities to trouble shoot centrifugal pumps and each opportunity can offer you a clue as to what is wrong with the pump. Let's take a look at each of these conditions:
While working this April in Holland, I saw a plant utilizing a marvelous Dutch phrase: "Ja, maar", which means "Yes, but ..." Seeing it first-hand helps me understand a principle of successful planning. Many plants can't implement successful planning because they assign the planners many worthwhile activities that are not planning. "Yes, planning is supposed to really help us, but we need the planner to do this other thing that really helps us." Ja, maar.
While working this April in Holland, I saw a plant utilizing a marvelous Dutch phrase: "Ja, maar", which means "Yes, but ..." Seeing it first-hand helps me understand a principle of successful planning. Many plants can't implement successful planning because they assign the planners many worthwhile activities that are not planning. "Yes, planning is supposed to really help us, but we need the planner to do this other thing that really helps us." Ja, maar.
Hidden from view in a typical coal-fired power plant is a battle that never ends. Coal attacks steel and alloy components when the fuel is transported about the plant. Predictably, over time, the abrasive nature of coal will prevail against any metal surface because metal will eventually erode. The only opportunity for metal surfaces to have a fighting chance is to advance the secret weapon: ceramics.
Hidden from view in a typical coal-fired power plant is a battle that never ends. Coal attacks steel and alloy components when the fuel is transported about the plant. Predictably, over time, the abrasive nature of coal will prevail against any metal surface because metal will eventually erode. The only opportunity for metal surfaces to have a fighting chance is to advance the secret weapon: ceramics.
In its simplest form, vibration can be considered to be the oscillation or repetitive motion of an object around an equilibrium position. The equilibrium position is the position the object will attain when the force acting on it is zero. This type of vibration is called "whole body motion", meaning that all parts of the body are moving together in the same direction at any point in time.
In its simplest form, vibration can be considered to be the oscillation or repetitive motion of an object around an equilibrium position. The equilibrium position is the position the object will attain when the force acting on it is zero. This type of vibration is called "whole body motion", meaning that all parts of the body are moving together in the same direction at any point in time.
Using lubrication and oil analysis to enhance machine reliability is really too simple. Behind the appearances of complexity and vale of high science are the most basic of concepts. We can try to make it difficult, but why? With the right tools and a generous amount of training, a seemingly challenging task can be transformed into something almost mundane, but still powerful.
Using lubrication and oil analysis to enhance machine reliability is really too simple. Behind the appearances of complexity and vale of high science are the most basic of concepts. We can try to make it difficult, but why? With the right tools and a generous amount of training, a seemingly challenging task can be transformed into something almost mundane, but still powerful.
To be able to truly evaluate the effectiveness of an infrared predictive maintenance program there must be an understanding of the relationship between the equipment that is to be inspected and the problems that are found and repaired. Too often the focus is on only the infrared images that the camera produces while the solutions that the data produced from the program can provide get lost. It all boils down to a simple but fundamental law that is expressed by the equation E = IR8 which focuses on measuring the effectiveness of the overall infrared program as well as on each of the individual components that contribute to its success.
To be able to truly evaluate the effectiveness of an infrared predictive maintenance program there must be an understanding of the relationship between the equipment that is to be inspected and the problems that are found and repaired. Too often the focus is on only the infrared images that the camera produces while the solutions that the data produced from the program can provide get lost. It all boils down to a simple but fundamental law that is expressed by the equation E = IR8 which focuses on measuring the effectiveness of the overall infrared program as well as on each of the individual components that contribute to its success.
Making money, not tons, has become the mantra of the pulp and paper industry in recent years. Consolidation moves in the sector have resulted in more effective management of inventories and supply, but the cyclical tendencies of the business remain. On top of that, the market is now a global one rather than being split up into regions. Managers today have to live up to the challenge of reducing costs to remain competitive in this global market. Mills face the real possibility of closure if manufacturing costs are no longer competitive in the global market economy. Future success will be achieved only by driving down costs and improving operating efficiencies.
Making money, not tons, has become the mantra of the pulp and paper industry in recent years. Consolidation moves in the sector have resulted in more effective management of inventories and supply, but the cyclical tendencies of the business remain. On top of that, the market is now a global one rather than being split up into regions. Managers today have to live up to the challenge of reducing costs to remain competitive in this global market. Mills face the real possibility of closure if manufacturing costs are no longer competitive in the global market economy. Future success will be achieved only by driving down costs and improving operating efficiencies.
There are several important silent assumptions of bearing reliability. However, before I address these assumptions, some even more basic assumptions and statements of fact must be established. While it might be a bit of a leap, I'm going to assume that the bearing is well-designed, well-manufactured, properly handled and stored, and finally, correctly selected for the intended application. With that said, we're now ready to talk about those silent assumptions that are in the maintenance function's domain.
There are several important silent assumptions of bearing reliability. However, before I address these assumptions, some even more basic assumptions and statements of fact must be established. While it might be a bit of a leap, I'm going to assume that the bearing is well-designed, well-manufactured, properly handled and stored, and finally, correctly selected for the intended application. With that said, we're now ready to talk about those silent assumptions that are in the maintenance function's domain.
Machinery can be idle from intermittent use, stand-by (redundancy), storage for spare parts, or for temporary decommissioning. This article looks at practices that protect equipment characterized as decommissioned, short-term storage or storage of stand-by capacity.
Machinery can be idle from intermittent use, stand-by (redundancy), storage for spare parts, or for temporary decommissioning. This article looks at practices that protect equipment characterized as decommissioned, short-term storage or storage of stand-by capacity.
ASSALUB has introduced a new technology to help track manual greasing. This technology can help improve your lubrication program and ensure the practices you aim to implement are being completed. The LubeRight is a computer aided manual greasing system that offers the following advantages when compared to traditional manual greasing.
ASSALUB has introduced a new technology to help track manual greasing. This technology can help improve your lubrication program and ensure the practices you aim to implement are being completed. The LubeRight is a computer aided manual greasing system that offers the following advantages when compared to traditional manual greasing.
