The 3rd TPM pillar autonomous maintenance supports development of safety standards.
As established, safety issues arise from unsafe behaviour
and unsafe conditions. Jishu Hozen or autonomous maintenance comprises of seven
steps. These seven steps when linked with organizational safety help establish
a controlled environment. This is made possible by the systematic and regular
implementation of the seven steps of Jishu Hozen the 3rd pillar of
Total Productive Maintenance.
In a workplace where such a practice is not followed
accidents are more common because of minor stoppages and machine failure
leading to decrease in productivity. In case of a minor stoppage, an
inexperienced worker might put his hand where there would normally be moving
parts. Such a situation poses a risk to the worker due to both unsafe
conditions and unsafe behaviour of the operator.
Autonomous maintenance addresses this situation by
eliminating minor stoppage, machine breakdowns and standardizing operator
behaviour. Unsafe conditions are eliminated in four steps Cleaning and
inspection, eliminating problem sources and inaccessible areas, drawing up
standards and conducting general inspections. By performing these four steps
regularly, it can be ensured that the equipment is free from dirt and grit,
inaccessible areas are exposed for maintenance, standards of operation are
established and performance of equipment is reviewed and optimized.
Unsafe behaviour is dealt with in the next three steps of
autonomous maintenance in the following way— Conducting autonomous inspections
to improve working methods of employees, carrying out visual maintenance
management to assure workplace organization and orderliness, carrying out
consistent autonomous management to encourage all employees to take care of
their workplace.
By following all seven steps it can be clearly understood
a major impact can be made on the organization’s safety. Therefore, linking
Jishu Hozen with safety management of the organization is an effective step in
the right direction which ensures safety, productivity
and efficiency and leads to
achieving operational excellence.
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