MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT FUNCTIONS AND ORGANIZATION

A maintenance department is expected to perform a wide range of functions including:

·         Planning and repairing equipment/facilities to acceptable standards

·         Performing preventive maintenance; more specifically, developing and implementing a regularly scheduled work program for the purpose of maintaining satisfactory equipment/facility operation as well as preventing major problems

·          Preparing realistic budgets that detail maintenance personnel and material needs

·         Managing inventory to ensure that parts/materials necessary to conduct maintenance tasks are readily available

·         Keeping records on equipment, services, etc.

·         Developing effective approaches to monitor the activities of maintenance staff

·         Developing effective techniques for keeping operations personnel, upper-level management, and other concerned groups aware of maintenance activities

·         Training maintenance staff and other concerned individuals to improve their skills and perform effectively

·         Reviewing plans for new facilities, installation of new equipment, etc.

·         Implementing methods to improve workplace safety and developing safety education-related programs for maintenance staff

·         Developing contract specifications and inspecting work performed by contractors to ensure compliance with contractual requirements

The four guidelines useful in planning a maintenance organization are:

·         establish reasonably clear division of authority with minimal overlap,

·         optimize number of persons reporting to an individual,

·         fit the organization to the personalities involved, and

Keep vertical lines of authority and responsibility as short as possible