Industrial MRO

Recent articles talk about how simple Lockout/Tagout procedures can save more lives than expensive control systems. In one article, the author closes by asking the employer who they thought was to blame for the maintenance guy losing his arm. The answer? The machine designer of course, not the fact that they didn't have a LO/TO mechanism or procedure for the machine. In a culture dominated by liability suits, governments that bail out people, and companies that overspend, the question arises: What happened to personal responsibility? Does a person's word, intentions, and honor mean anything anymore?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Industrial MRO, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Industrial MRO today.

Reliability centered maintenance (RCM) requires careful analysis of equipment failure modes, regular equipment monitoring, and preventive maintenance procedures to work. Training can make or break an RCM program, because training also requires careful analysis, regular monitoring, and a plan to keep everyone at the top of their game. Do your maintenance procedures tie together maintenance operations with ongoing training and investment in employees to make sure both labor and equipment keep getting better?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Industrial MRO, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Industrial MRO today.

Traditional manufacturing companies are based on a pyramid structure, long on management and short on decision makers. Flexible manufacturing organizations tend to adopt flat organizational structures with many departments, each with the power to make product, process, and plant decisions. Is your company slow to identify changing market trends? Is it just as slow to react to changing business conditions? Do you think a little less management might be for your company?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Industrial MRO, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Industrial MRO today.

Many employers are asking employees to go without raises this year to avoid layoffs, so the estimated 3.31% salary increase for MRO professionals may not seem as bleak this year as in past years. However, with more employees paying more for health insurance and out of pocket expenses, that raise may not add much to the family's bottom line. The increase in premium costs slowed last year, but do you think improving the healthcare system is desirable, or even doable? Is it worth paying taxes on health insurance benefits? Can or should we insure everyone?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Industrial MRO, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Industrial MRO today.

Arc flash calculations can be complicated, not just because complex circuits may require complex formulas, but because there are multiple ways and formulas that someone can use to determine arc flash dangers. Becoming arc flash savvy also takes considerable training and expertise. Arc flash calculations can save lives. Does your company have procedures in place to determine Arc flash probability before performing maintenance duties?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Industrial MRO, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Industrial MRO today.