An equipment maintenance log (opens in new tab) is a document where maintenance activities performed on an asset are recorded for easy reference. The process is simple: Work gets done, and a log gets updated.
Having logs that record maintenance activities are important for several reasons. The proper tracking of machinery maintenance logs helps you prioritize preventive maintenance (opens in new tab) and understand which tasks need to be performed to ensure your equipment is in good condition, doesn’t experience unplanned repairs, and runs as efficiently as possible throughout its lifetime.
The data within a maintenance log is also useful to reference when deciding if you should update your assets with a new version, and when is the best time to replace them (opens in new tab). The data recorded over time reveals patterns of failure, expenditure, and repair. This can be used to make better decisions that will save on costs and time.
Getting accurate, reliable data from an equipment maintenance log starts with how you structure it. Which way you go will depend on a variety of factors, depending on the needs and capabilities of your team and facility. In general, three key questions to keep in mind are:
You can break this down into two sections: Information about the asset and information about maintenance work.
A best practice is to structure your maintenance log with asset information at the top. This includes:
This section is followed by a description of the work that’s done on the equipment:
Simplicity is your best friend here. Don’t make it hard for technicians to complete the log. It’s best to keep your descriptions short and have all the key details laid out plainly. Think about the maintenance worker who will be reading the log. They need to be able to quickly understand and access the necessary details in order to do the repairs or maintenance on the asset.
Equipment maintenance logs are a treasure trove of insightful information that help you create better strategies for improving the health and functionality of your assets and optimizing how your maintenance team makes use of their time and energy. Three ways to make the most of the data collected within your maintenance logs include:
Leverage the cloud to work together, better in the new connected age of maintenance and asset management.