What are "preventive maintenance" practices?

Preventive maintenance practices involve scheduled actions that aim to maintain equipment in optimal working condition and prevent failures before they occur. This approach includes regular inspections, servicing, and replacing components as needed based on time or usage intervals. The primary goal of preventive maintenance is to enhance the reliability and lifespan of equipment, minimize downtime, and reduce the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns, which can lead to safety hazards and costly repairs.

In contrast, reactive measures focus on addressing equipment failures after they happen, which may lead to increased repair costs and operational disruptions. Random inspections do not follow a structured schedule or criteria, which might miss critical maintenance needs. Training sessions for crew members, although essential for safety and operations, do not directly relate to the technical practices involved in maintaining the equipment itself. Thus, scheduling regular maintenance actions is key to effective equipment management and operational safety.