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Who Is a Preventive Maintenance Technician?

January 27, 2023 · 3 min read

Preventive maintenance is a proactive approach to maintaining equipment and facilities that is focused on identifying and addressing potential problems before they cause equipment failure. It involves regularly scheduled inspections, maintenance tasks, and repairs to keep equipment and facilities in good working condition and prevent unexpected breakdowns. Some specific tasks and responsibilities of a preventive maintenance technician may include:

  • Scheduling and performing routine maintenance tasks on equipment and facilities, such as lubricating moving parts, replacing filters, and checking fluid levels.
  • Inspecting equipment and facilities to identify potential problems and make recommendations for repairs or upgrades.
  • Keeping detailed records of all maintenance activities, including the date and time of each task, the equipment or facility that was serviced, and any issues that were identified.
  • Reviewing equipment and facility logs to determine the frequency of maintenance needed and create maintenance schedules accordingly.
  • Collaborating with other members of the maintenance team and other departments to ensure smooth operation of equipment and facilities.
  • Communicating with equipment operators and other stakeholders to understand their needs and ensure equipment is working correctly.
  • Assisting with the installation of new equipment and systems.
  • Participating in training and development opportunities to improve skills and knowledge.
  • Adhering to all safety protocols and procedures at all times.
  • Participating in the implementation of predictive maintenance techniques such as vibration analysis, oil analysis and thermal imaging to identify potential equipment failure.
  • Communicating with vendors and suppliers to order replacement parts and equipment.
  • Coordinating with other departments to ensure that maintenance activities do not interrupt production.

A preventive maintenance technician plays a vital role in implementing this approach. They are responsible for performing routine maintenance tasks, such as lubricating moving parts, replacing filters, and checking fluid levels, as well as inspecting equipment and facilities to identify potential problems and make recommendations for repairs or upgrades. They also create and maintain maintenance schedules and keep detailed records of all maintenance activities.

To perform their job effectively, preventive maintenance technicians must have a strong understanding of the equipment and systems they are responsible for maintaining. They have to be able to use specialized tools and equipment, such as multimeters, torque wrenches, and vibration analyzers, to perform their tasks. Moreover, they must be able to read and interpret technical manuals and schematics, and have a good understanding of safety protocols and procedures.

In addition to performing routine maintenance tasks, preventive maintenance technicians may be responsible for coordinating maintenance activities with other departments to ensure that they do not interrupt production. They may also need to communicate with vendors and suppliers to order replacement parts and equipment.

A preventive maintenance technician is a professional responsible for performing routine maintenance and inspections on equipment and facilities to prevent breakdowns and prolong the lifespan of the equipment. The main goal of a preventive maintenance technician is to identify potential problems and make recommendations for repairs or upgrades before they cause equipment failure. This approach helps to minimize downtime, reduce the need for repairs, and improve equipment performance and efficiency. A preventive maintenance technician typically works in industrial settings, such as factories, power plants, or manufacturing facilities, and uses specialized tools and equipment to perform their tasks. They may also be responsible for creating and maintaining maintenance schedules and keeping detailed records of all maintenance activities.


Overall, preventive maintenance technicians are essential for ensuring that equipment and facilities are running at optimal performance and efficiency, and that unexpected breakdowns are minimized, which leads to cost savings, improved production and safety.

by Liza Sushko

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