Achieving food safety through preventive maintenance

The quality of food products that are being manufactured cannot be compromised with. These days, there are several manufacturing units that produce processed and pre-packaged food items and the ones that are consumed by people belonging to all age groups.

As such, it becomes even more important to make sure that the production process is clean, ensure hygienic practices that can safeguard the health of consumers. How is this achieved? It can be achieved by using equipments that are well maintained and operate under hygienic conditions. Also, important is the safety of the workers engaged in the production process.

In this article, let us find out how these practices can be put into use for obtaining the best results.

Steps to achieve best maintenance plan practices

Given below are the measures that you can take in order to ensure that the food that is being produced is of the highest standard.

·Make an inventory of the equipment

First and foremost, it is important to make a list of the equipment that are involved in the manufacturing or production of the food items. In this regard, it is best to make an inventory of the machinery that is being used, the quantity of each, the condition in which they are functioning, and the risks posed by each, if any. For the purpose of convenience, you could make use of software known as CMMS or Computerized Maintenance Management Software. Still better, if you could opt for the mobile CMMS so that you can access the preventive maintenance plan schedules and details from your smartphone.

·Plan maintenance schedule

It is important that you follow the instructions of the manufacturer when it comes to maintenance and repair of the machinery that is being used. Any deviation from the prescribed procedure might do more harm than good. Opt for maintenance plan that can be scheduled as weekly, monthly, and yearly. However, it is best in the interest of the company’s maintenance expenses not to schedule any maintenance only on yearly basis. By that time, it is quite likely that equipment might suffer wear and tear and you will not be able to know about the same.

·Record every maintenance schedule

When you are scheduling preventative maintenance plan, make a note of every schedule you are planning or working out. The record has to be maintained also keeping in mind the maintenance schedule that should in no way interrupt with the operational activities of the manufacturing unit. And to obtain the best results, it is a wise move to plan the maintenance schedule in tandem with the various departments that are involved in the production and maintenance process.

·Assign a project personnel

In order to carry out the preventive maintenance plan schedule without any glitches and technical snags assigning the task to a project leader is the best way to achieve the maintenance plan seamlessly. It is always better to have the team reporting to a responsible individual.

·Be prepared for the maintenance schedule

When a preventive maintenance plan is scheduled, it means that you will require certain spare parts and tools for replacement or fixing a problem. Lubricants are also used for repairing and parts requiring the same have to be done with good quality product. Also, make sure that the quality of lubricants that you use has to be good because you are using it for the food manufacturing units.

·Prioritize maintenance schedule

Prioritize maintenance schedule of equipments that require immediate repair. If expense is currently a constraint, then the equipment that is posing the greatest risk has to be maintained first.

Last but not the least; carry out the schedule religiously because it can go a long way in saving unnecessary expenses of the company.