You know what preventative maintenance is, but you haven’t pulled the trigger yet. We get it. The thought of paying for maintenance at regular intervals seems like a waste of time when there are no immediate issues. But when it comes to lab equipment, it’s a must. Let’s take a moment to consider its benefits, and you’ll be wondering why you didn’t opt in sooner!
Fewer Breakdowns
This might be the most important one, because it’s related to pretty much every benefit we discuss in this article. In short, fewer breakdowns means your entire operation runs more smoothly.
Most mechanical failures are due to neglect or improper use, so being proactive about upkeep really does go a long way in maintaining the integrity of your lab, its workers, and of course, its equipment.
Optimal Efficiency
When we talk about breakdowns, we’re usually referring to total operation failure. What many people often don’t consider is the fact that your equipment running doesn’t mean it’s doing the best job it can do.
Take a heavily used battery-operated machine, for example. Sure, it’s working, but the battery life itself is only a third of what it used to be. It’s the same with all equipment in some way. Failure to maintain working parts and replace faulty ones will mean diminishing returns in quality and currency.
Increased Lifespan
Equipment that receives a healthy amount of TLC will thank you by running longer! When it comes to machinery of any sort, mean time between failures (MTBF) should be monitored. Doing so will allow you to properly plan the ideal time to have maintenance performed. This approach means you’ll likely take care of any impending breakdowns before they have a chance to derail your operations. Fewer breakdowns means less damage, and less damage means equipment that stays running for longer.
Minimal Unplanned Downtime
Wait too long to service your equipment, and it could remind you in a pretty harsh manner. Sure, reactive maintenance ends in a fix (hopefully), but your progress is at a standstill until that happens. Minutes or hours of downtime for planned maintenance is much better than days or weeks of panicked fixes, right?
Employee Health and Safety
There’s also the wellbeing of those who operate the equipment to consider. You should always be operating under the assumption that any piece of equipment, electrical or mechanical, has the potential to cause harm. A bad wire on a microscope could zap someone or create an ill-timed spark. A robotic arm with faulty failsafes could cause serious harm to any limbs that are in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Preventive maintenance ensures that these risks are kept to an absolute minimum. Taking the time to have it done could save you the emotional and financial burdens caused by a workplace injury.
Additionally, if your business is subjected to a safety audit and your equipment isn’t up to snuff, it could mean your entire operation being put on hold.
It Saves You Money
All of the things we discussed above lead to the same benefit. Preventative maintenance saves you a lot of money. Sure, the maintenance has a price tag on it, but taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture will reveal a brighter future. It minimizes downtime, which saves you money. It optimizes work quality, which builds trust with your clients and financial supporters. It reduces the risk of injuries that could cost you thousands or even millions, depending on severity.
Are you making moves to create the most effective laboratory environment possible for your business? Get in touch with BaneBio! Our top-condition products and expert services make us the ideal partner for your lab!