The goal of any preventive maintenance program is to prevent equipment failure before it occurs. This is typically accomplished by way of a schedule of planned maintenance activities such as equipment checks and inspections, system overhauls at designated times, oil changes, filter changes, and so on. The benefits of performing preventive maintenance are numerous and not typically debated:

• Improved system reliability
• Increased longevity of equipment
• Decrease in replacement costs
• Decrease in downtime

That said, another way to look at the benefits of a preventive maintenance program is to think about the cost associated with NOT having a PM program. Most people recognize the benefits, but many do not recognize the costs associated with doing nothing. By neglecting to perform PM, not only will you miss out on the benefits, but you will become burdened with additional costs:

• Increased replacement/ repair costs due to more frequent failure
• Increased man hours to maintain equipment as problems arise
• Increased downtown and dissatisfaction by equipment users
• Safety risks for equipment users
• Getting fired

Wait….getting fired?!?!?! Yup, not doing PM could be a one way ticket to the unemployment office:

The city of Boston has just terminated 8 MBTA employees for falsifying Preventive Maintenance records associated with public transportation. Not only has this delinquency costs these folks their jobs, but it has also put the general public at risk, not to mention cost tax payers more money by ensuring that these systems will break down sooner than later and more frequently.

There are many tools available today that will help you to get started and build a PM program: It could be the difference between a promotion…and a pink slip!