by Randall Noon, P.E. | Dec 5, 2020 | Learning from Mistakes, RAM's Human Factor, Safety Matters
The following is an amalgam of several similar event investigations. Details that would otherwise allow a specific company or person to be identified have been generalized, combined, or removed. The purpose of this brief study is to illustrate specific principles and...
by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | Nov 8, 2020 | Newsletter Column, RAM's Human Factor, Workforce Issues
In North America, the primary written language used in maintenance and asset management is English. Unfortunately, the English language tolerates the use of many imprecise words that can cast doubt on their intended meaning and lead to poor interpretation and results....
by Bob Williamson, CMRP, CPMM, MIAM, Editor | Oct 10, 2020 | RAM's Human Factor, Workforce Issues
Detailed work instructions are the most important equipment-reliability-improvement tool we have: They explain the meaning of checklists. Such instructions list WHAT, HOW, and HOW WELL to perform a task, as opposed to checklists that typically just list WHAT to do....
by Drew Troyer, CRE, CMRP, Editor | Oct 3, 2020 | Plant Operations, RAM Tools & Methods, RAM's Human Factor, Workforce Issues
I have written extensively in The RAM Review about the importance of precision-work instructions to ensure high-quality maintenance work. Such instructions are particularly valuable for bringing in a successful shutdown, turnaround, or outage (STO) event. The...
by Heinz Bloch, P.E., Editor | Jul 10, 2020 | RAM's Human Factor, The Bloch Files
If you want to show that you care about your workers or those of your client(s), read on. Yes, I have referenced this topic in previous writings and presentations (as have others on The RAM Review team. After all, elements of the topic cover issues of great importance...
by Drew Troyer, CRE, CMRP, Editor | May 15, 2020 | Asset Management, RAM's Human Factor
In 1963, the USS Thresher, the jewel in the crown of the U.S. Navy’s nuclear-submarine fleet, sank during a sea trial after its first shipyard overhaul. We lost 129 brave sailors in that accident. The investigation concluded that relying on “skill-of-the-craft” ...
by Ken Bannister, MEch (UK), CMRP, MLE, Editor | Mar 7, 2020 | Maintenance Management, RAM's Human Factor
As an asset-management consultant working with a new client, one of my first steps is to perform a Maintenance Operation Effectiveness Review (MOER) in which we review and quantify the current state of the maintenance organization to determine how effectively it...
by Drew Troyer, CRE, CMRP, Editor | Feb 21, 2020 | Asset Management, Plant Operations, RAM's Human Factor
Many “programs” intended to improve the reliability of plant assets provide only fleeting value before the organization drifts back into its old “business as usual” mode. The situation is easy to spot: Simply ask people why they execute a process in a particular way,...
by Bob Williamson, CMRP, CPMM, MIAM, Editor | Feb 8, 2020 | RAM's Human Factor, Safety Matters
“Human error” is an often-cited cause or contributing factor in accidents and failures. We routinely see this with our plant equipment. But, identifying ways to reduce or eliminate “human error” can be challenging without a structured process for indentifying and...
