Whether it’s a computer, a printer, or a failing transformer, equipment failure can have significant consequences for your business. Not only can it halt your productivity, but it can lead to customer dissatisfaction, and even cause safety issues.
The good news is that you can reduce your chances of falling equipment by carrying out the right preventative steps, and addressing issues early on. In turn, you can minimize employee downtime and eliminate replacement costs. The first step is knowing what some of the most common causes of equipment are, so you can put the right strategies in place. Here are some causes for equipment failure, and how to avoid them.
Lack of Maintenance
Many people make the mistake of believing that they can buy something once, and they’re “good to go.” However, one of the top reasons for equipment failure is failure to carry out proper maintenance. Maintenance includes everything from cleaning to replacing parts to conducting regular inspections.
Neglecting maintenance could lead to unexpected breakdowns when you least expect them. This is why you need to implement a proactive system that will keep your equipment operating smoothly. This list should be checked off every day and regularly visited to make sure that you identify any potential issues early on. Because even the slightest anomaly could lead to something much more serious down the road.
Wear and Tear
Just like anything, technology also has a lifespan. Eventually, things wear out, and they’ll need to be replaced. This is because the more you use something, the more its components start to deteriorate, and eventually fail. That’s why it’s important that you measure how old your equipment is so you can anticipate its replacement. And while you may not be able to make something last forever, you can make it last longer by carrying out proper maintenance and inspecting it for issues regularly.
Overloading
One of the most common reasons for unexpected breakdowns is overloading equipment beyond its intended capacity. This puts an extensive amount of strain on machinery and can ultimately result in fried components. Along with overloading also comes misuse. Using something in a way that deviates from its original intention can put unnecessary strain on it, and ultimately result in operational problems. So, make sure that all of your employees are well trained on not only capacity limitations but what machinery and equipment should be used for. Remember, misuse and overloading don’t just result in premature replacement of your equipment, they can lead to serious injury and even death. The more you stress this with your employees, the more likely they will be to follow protocol.
Environmental Factors
Sometimes there are environmental factors outside of our control that lead to failing equipment. In most cases, this is from extreme temperatures, whether it be extreme cold or heat. This is why it’s important that your equipment is stored in the proper environment. In other words, equipment that tends to overheat quickly should be surrounded by cooling sources, while machinery and extremely cold places should be surrounded by heat sources. Failing to control the environment your equipment is can alternately lead to significant damage and potential explosions. This is why your business should always anticipate environmental factors before choosing where to place your equipment.
