Duties and responsibilities of a production service mechanic

Industrial maintenance mechanics ensure the safe and efficient operation of factories and production facilities by performing scheduled and emergency maintenance of complex equipment. This role requires both diagnostic skills to successfully identify problems and troubleshoot machines and the mechanical skills required to perform repairs and perform regular maintenance.

In this role, many industrial equipment maintenance technicians work closely with teams of technicians and other mechanics to ensure that all repair and maintenance work is properly assigned and performed. They play a key role in preventing accidents or work interruptions by solving mechanical and electrical problems and keeping detailed records of their actions.

Duties and responsibilities of a production service mechanic

While maintenance technicians can work in a wide variety of production environments, most share several core roles:

Perform regular maintenance

The main job of an industrial maintenance mechanic is to perform planned and scheduled maintenance on complex machines. This may include periodic inspection and maintenance work where the mechanic verifies that the machines are operating properly, properly lubricated and calibrated, and operating within safe limits for heat and speed. In this aspect of his role, the maintenance technician can follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule to keep the equipment operating efficiently.

Providing emergency repair services

Industrial service technicians also perform emergency repairs with limited downtime to avoid machine damage or personal injury. This may include replacing defective parts or, in some cases, replacing the entire machine. As industrial equipment becomes more sophisticated, this can include working with electronic components and using a variety of hand and power tools to perform repairs.

Identify mechanical problems

In this role, industrial maintenance technicians can also troubleshoot and identify mechanical problems or areas of potential failure. This usually involves the use of multiple diagnostic tools, as well as visual inspection and tests to eliminate possible causes of mechanical or electrical problems. Industrial service technicians can also determine that certain issues are covered by the manufacturer's warranty and prepare documents to file a warranty claim.

Prepare work orders

Many industrial maintenance mechanics work with teams of technicians and mechanics. To ensure that work is completed on time and in line with the most pressing needs, they prepare and manage work orders. These work assignments usually describe the problems or maintenance tasks required, and the team members responsible for resolving those problems. Industrial service mechanics then submit these work orders to managers or team members, who assign projects to the correct teams.

Complete maintenance reports

Finally, industrial maintenance workers support maintenance activities by generating reports of their activities. These reports can range from diagnostic reports to tests and observations, repair reports and their results. Industrial maintenance technicians can keep these reports on file or send them to operations managers and other decision-makers who will keep them handy during claims or other investigations of equipment incidents.

Read More: comptia it operations specialist