Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/579895
palletcentral.com PalletCentral • September-October 2015 29 Below are a few action items to get started: 1) Identify/list each piece of equipment and assign an identification/tracking number or name to each item. 2) Do you have operator manuals for maintenance and service requirements/schedules for each piece of equipment? 3) Is the equipment operating per the manufacturer's specifications and to your expectations? 4) Determine if the equipment is a critical item. For example, is your headsaw critical, or is it an old gang rip saw used as a backup if needed. 5) Do you track breakdowns for each piece of machinery noting if the downtime is electrical, mechanical, or do you just make the repairs and get back to product? Do you track downtime due to supporting equipment or lack of material? This can help to identify bottlenecks within your operation. If you are not tracking downtime create a log for each piece of equipment to do so. Keep them simple enough so that your machine operators will use them and you can capture the cause of the downtime. 6) Have a system in place for your machine operators to request maintenance before the equipment has a breakdown. For example: the equipment may still work with a small hydraulic cylinder leak, but the leak needs to be repaired before it creates a major issue. Training your employees is the only way to insure that they understand what is expected of them and how to use the programs you have in place. Belief in Loss Prevention Finally, you must believe in and support the loss prevention concept. No one wants to have a loss, but prior planning can reduce the effect of the loss on your operation. By developing and endorsing your own safety policy, you show support for a program which requires active involvement of all your employees. An ongoing safety program has to be embedded into your day-to- day operations to be effective. It must be more than a program on the shelf; or an occasional survey. When management continuously demonstrates genuine interest in safety, employees are prone to do the same. Controlling possible losses through these activities will have a positive effect on your operation, and your image in the community. PC At the Pennsylvania & Indiana Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company, Greg Pianko, ARM, vice president of loss control, is responsible for the development of loss con- trol policies and procedures; William Johnson is the vice president of underwriting in charge of underwriting strategy, policy and procedures. They may be reached at gpianko@ ilmgroup.com and wjohnson@plmins.com respectively. An ongoing safety program has to be embedded into your day-to-day operations to be effective.