Root Cause Analysis (RCA) can be implemented in any business. As the term suggests, its aim is to get to the root cause of a problem. By knowing the root cause, the problem can be prevented or eliminated. Where is RCA useful?There are many situations where a root cause analysis can be used to solve…
We all know that servicing your equipment is an important part of any business. Especially when it comes to working at heights and with large machinery. Having a well-maintained scissor lift will prevent breakdowns and accidents which could result in serious injury. Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) It is important to make sure…
It’s fairly common for companies to outsource parts of their production process. They may lack the resources needed to complete a project, or just want to reduce overheads. We increasingly find ourselves helping manufacturers by taking on sub-assembly projects. We can be charged with putting together units which are then returned to the manufacturer for…
LEV systems affect numerous industries and has come up as a topic of interest for many of my clients lately. Every year thousands of employees in the UK develop asthma or lung disease due to airborne contaminants in the workplace. We all know that the health and safety of your staff is of the upmost importance. So it’s imperative that you have an LEV system in place if needed and…
Unless you’ve been on a retreat deep in the jungle you will have heard about the recent C02shortage which almost bought the food and drink to industry, amongst others, to a standstill. The cause? Several key factories shut down for both planned and unexpected maintenance at the same time. Maintenance is a crucial task to…
What is Autonomous Maintenance? Put simply, Autonomous Maintenance allows machine operators, rather than dedicated maintenance teams, to carry out simple maintenance tasks to prevent breakdowns. The types of works they might carry out includes cleaning, inspection, lubrication and bolt tightening. These tasks, when carried out with regularity, help prevent accelerated equipment deterioration. A significant proportion…
What is predictive maintenance? As the name implies, predictive maintenance anticipates equipment problems rather than reacting to them. The aim is to predict when equipment failure might occur, and then to prevent that failure by addressing the problem immediately. Conditions in machinery can be carefully monitored in order to identify a significant change which is…
What is environmental engineering? Environmental engineering is a branch of engineering that seeks to reduce waste and pollution, thereby protecting the environment. It deals with the design of technologies and processes that control pollution release and help clear up any contamination that’s already occurred. The basic concept has been around for over 5,000 years, since…
The Project Management Institute defines a project as “a temporary endeavour undertaken to create a unique product, service or result.” A project has a defined beginning and end, defined scope and defined resources. It will usually include people who don’t usually work together. Projects are about driving change in the organisation. The aim of a…
The basic premise of lean manufacturing is around eliminating waste. Waste, in this context, is defined as anything that doesn’t add value. Lean manufacturing provides an organised way, and tools to use, to take positive action to do just that. Continuous improvement is the ultimate goal. The concept was first introduced by Toyota around 70…