# Preventive maintenance

Operations · `Preventive maintenance` · verification: source checked

Preventive maintenance is an equipment servicing approach in which maintenance personnel regularly check and overhaul equipment on a schedule. The stated aims are to decrease breakdowns and increase equipment life. In lean manufacturing, hourly workers also carry out daily basic preventive maintenance tasks.

## Specification

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Kind | methodology |

## Study notes

- Described as a precursor to Total Productive Maintenance (TPM); TPM is named only for comparison in the document.
- Work is performed by maintenance personnel on a regular, scheduled basis.
- Purpose: decrease breakdowns and increase equipment life.
- In lean manufacturing, hourly workers take daily responsibility for basic preventive maintenance tasks.
- Basic tasks listed for hourly workers: checking lubrication levels, checking the condition of filters, and checking the tightness of nuts and bolts.

## Sources

1. [Preventive Maintenance - Lean Enterprise Institute](https://www.lean.org/lexicon-terms/preventive-maintenance/) (accessed 2026-10-25)

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