Think PPE is enough? The #1 overlooked safety factor in industrial plants isn’t equipment or training—it’s maintenance. Too often, hazard checks get skipped when the pressure’s on, and that’s when accidents happen. This article shows how ignoring maintenance in your safety planning leads to real-world incidents—and gives you practical steps to build hazard identification and equipment care directly into your safety protocols.

What breaks first on most farm equipment? Bearings, belts, chains, and gearboxes are often at the top of the list. And when they go on you, it always costs more than just the part. Learn why they fail, how to spot the warning signs, and what to do to avoid downtime during the busiest season.

Shutdowns don’t just eat into your schedule — they eat into your budget and your reputation.  And if you’re running a plant in the Prairies, you already know the margin for error is razor thin. Whether it’s a conveyor that fails mid-run, a supply delay that leaves you idle, or a utility hiccup that knocks out production, every unplanned stop costs more than you expect.

Every machine hits a point where repairs just don’t make sense anymore. Push past that tipping point, and you’re not saving money — you’re draining your budget, losing uptime, and adding risk. Here’s how to spot the signs and decide whether to repair, upgrade, or replace — before it starts costing more than it’s worth.

Deciding whether to repair or replace industrial equipment isn’t just about cost — it’s about timing, safety, and long-term performance. This technical checklist walks you through signs of failure, cost-benefit factors, and data-driven metrics so you can make the right call before downtime hits.

Industrial maintenance logging is more than just a checklist. It's a living document -a digital record that tracks the health, service history, and planned care of every piece of equipment.