Equipment Maintenance refers to the regular care and upkeep of machinery and tools used in quarrying and mining operations. This includes checking, repairing, and preventing problems with heavy equipment like excavators, loaders, and crushers. It's similar to how a car needs regular oil changes and check-ups, but for industrial machinery. The goal is to keep everything running safely and efficiently, prevent breakdowns, and extend the life of expensive equipment. You might also see this called "preventive maintenance," "machinery maintenance," or "plant maintenance" in job descriptions.
Supervised Equipment Maintenance programs for fleet of 20 heavy vehicles
Reduced downtime by 30% through implementing scheduled Equipment Maintenance protocols
Managed Equipment Maintenance and Preventive Maintenance schedules for crushing and screening plants
Typical job title: "Maintenance Technicians"
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Q: How would you develop and implement a preventive maintenance program for a quarry operation?
Expected Answer: A senior candidate should explain how they would assess equipment needs, create maintenance schedules, train staff, track repairs, and measure program effectiveness through reduced downtime and cost savings.
Q: How do you manage maintenance budgets and inventory?
Expected Answer: Should discuss experience with cost control, parts inventory management, supplier relationships, and balancing maintenance costs with production needs.
Q: What steps do you take when troubleshooting equipment problems?
Expected Answer: Should describe a systematic approach to identifying issues, using maintenance manuals, conducting tests, and determining whether to repair or replace parts.
Q: How do you prioritize maintenance tasks when multiple machines need attention?
Expected Answer: Should explain how they assess urgency based on safety concerns, production impact, repair time, and available resources.
Q: What safety procedures do you follow when maintaining equipment?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of basic safety protocols like lockout/tagout procedures, wearing proper protective equipment, and following safety guidelines.
Q: What basic tools and equipment do you use for maintenance work?
Expected Answer: Should be able to list and explain the use of common maintenance tools, measuring devices, and basic diagnostic equipment.