Tagging Before Tagging Out Is Your Precursor to Maintenance

To be safe when performing off-season plant and other equipment repairs, the mechanic must perform lockout/tagout procedures. We all understand this and hopefully have drilled the concept into all members of the team.

Before the mechanic or other ground personnel start working on plant upgrades and big maintenance tasks this winter, use this simple trick to make fixes easier to find. Tag ’em. We’ve reported on this concept in the pages of AsphaltPro magazine in the past, but let’s take a quick look at why it’s a training-worthy idea here.

We’re about to go into planned plant upgrades and maintenance time. Those larger tasks you were able to set aside for winter downtime are at hand.

While members of the crew work on specific projects, they will likely see additional points of concern that need to be addressed while the plant is down. Rather than risk forgetting an area, have them tag it with a strategic placement of quick-n-easy markings for follow-up. At this time, have ground men carry with them cans of orange or red spray paint. As they see minimally worn components that require minor repair or further investigation for possible repair, have them spray the item with a quick shot of paint.

Of course, anything that appears to be a possible safety hazard must be addressed immediately and not merely “tagged” for later. Marking wear points or torn jacketing or minor worries as you see them lets you get on with the current project with no fear of forgetting the details that will help spring start-up go smoothly.