MACHINERY LUBRICATION- INDIA MARCH-APRIL 2020 | Page 27

MLI decontaminate lubricants while they are in service. It is common for maintenance personnel to carry out this work. Changing a lubricant from one type to another may require the flushing of the cavity to ensure there is little risk of incompatibility. This often is performed by the lube team and is regarded as highly skilled work, especially when a large volume of oil in a complex machine is being changed. This task demands a clear plan and all the necessary materials for the changeover. Aside from changing oils, switching greases can be just as challenging. Documented Procedures and Checklists Documented procedures and checklists are essential to make certain that the individual performing the work has at least a basic understanding of the task that needs to be accomplished. Procedures and checklists can level the playing field in regard to experience. If someone has been doing the work for years, complacency frequently can set in, but a checklist helps to verify that he or she hits all the necessary points. For new hires, a detailed, step-by-step procedure ensures they treat the equipment with the same level of care as their more experienced counterparts. The importance of these documents cannot be overstated. Education, Training and Certification Understanding why each task must be completed in the specified manner will help your team be more engaged in their work. For example, knowledge of how simple sight-glass inspections may prevent catastrophic failures can drive home the need for these tasks to be performed with diligence and care every time. The top organizations certify their lube team members in lubrication-specific disciplines. Certification adds credibility and creates ownership of the program. At least one person in the plant should own all the lubrication program and have a higher degree of knowledge and certification in lubrication. This individual should also be involved in the onboarding of new lube professionals at the facility. By incorporating a hands-on component in the training of new lube technicians, you can further instill the practices you want to incorporate in the daily work. It often is best to explain, demonstrate and then coach individuals on how to complete a particular task before having them show you how to perform it. This simple process enables you to observe them accomplishing the task and verify that they are qualified to do the work. It also allows for coaching to be done more quickly without the risk of having an unqualified person working unsupervised. As you can see, many tasks in a lubrication program require training and coaching to ensure they are done properly. Without emphasis on each element, it will be difficult to transition from the status quo to world class. If you haven’t done so already, document who is responsible for each aspect of the lubrication program and start training your team based on the criticality of the work being performed. With consistent effort and focus, you can have a highly skilled lube team in a short amount of time. ML About the Author Wes Cash is the director of technical services for Noria Corporation. He serves as a senior technical consultant for Lubrication Program Development projects and as a senior instructor for Noria’s Oil Analysis II and Machinery Lubrication I and II training courses. Wes holds a Machine Lubrication Technician (MLT) Level II certification and a Machine Lubricant Analyst (MLA) Level III certification through the International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML). Contact Wes at [email protected] to learn how Noria can help you develop an appropriate training plan for your lubrication program. www.machinerylubricationindia.com | March - April 2020 | 25