4020 – 10 – Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)

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A separate approach to maintenance is Total Productive Maintenance, or TPM. TPM is an approach to maintenance where everyone pools his or her knowledge and experience to create an efficient maintenance program. They began in Japan during the 1950’s and 1960’s. It has since spread to the United States, used in conjunction with other maintenance practices, like PdM.

TPM is related to the idea of lean manufacturing, focusing on product quality and customer satisfaction to lower cost and waste. Waste is anything with no value in the manufacturing process including unplanned downtime.

TPM places emphasis on the safety and involvement of every employee. Operators typically use autonomous maintenance, meaning they are responsible for some PM, like lubricating of the machines. It relieves a bit of the responsibility for the maintenance crew and increases the operator’s involvement in the process. All employees are asked to keep their workstations clean and safe.