Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1356397
24 | March - April 2021 | www . machinerylubrication.com 24 | March - April 2021 | www . machinerylubrication.com Task Standardization: Maximizing Opportunity by Minimizing Variance Many industrial facilities remain stubbornly short- sighted about the acquisition, installation and operation of their machines. " " Matt Adams | Noria Corporation LUBRICANT HANDLING & APPLICATION Factor: H1P Learn More: noria.com/ascend/ Looking back on math class in school, a well-known concept indi- cates that adding supplementary variables to an equation results in the problem inherently becoming more complex. During on-site lubrication program assessments or public training seminars, I frequently relate back to this and how it aligns with the process and ownership of specific tasks within your lubrication program. As we begin to review site lubri- cation processes, let's take a look at those associated with Lubrication Handling Tasks (H1P). As the number of individuals performing these tasks increases, we begin to see increasing opportunities for variance to occur. Identifying these needlessly distributed practices and acting on them with controlled administrative measures is imperative to minimizing the overlooked problems I commonly see in plants. As your program advances, the creation of standard- ized procedures, tasks by application type and application types by asset will begin to address unnecessary variance in the program that will pay dividends for years to come. Culture is another specific objec- tive that is coincidentally being addressed simultaneously during this standardization. In this context, culture is defined as the common habits, rituals and beliefs of the site. As we begin to organizationally change the steps noted below, reli- ability leaders are directly affected by how lubrication handling tasks are carried out and play a key role in setting a new expectation for excel- lence at the site. Procedure Standardization to Lubrication Tasks It is vital to understand that when sites choose to work towards improving their lubrication program, they can easily get caught up in physical improvements through capital expenses, such as updates to lubrication rooms, tools and labora- tory equipment. While all these have proven benefits if you truly desire the improvements at the site to last for years to come, we must also be