Successful Engineers have learned to avoid “Verbal Instruction” only
Verbal Instruction to Replace “Like with Like” without fully understanding the issues has many traps.
I was working as an Engineering contractor for a large company on a project. I was sitting in on a regular maintenance/project meeting when it was brought up that a concrete plinth which was supporting a motor/pump assembly was falling apart and needed to be repaired. This company outsourced a lot of work to subcontractors and the Maintenance Manager said that this happens on a regular basis with a lot of the pump assemblies in this area and he would organize for a sub contractor to repair it.
Later in the day I was walking through the area and had a look at the plinth in question. Yes – it was falling apart and many of the others were in a similar poor state. As I watched the operators working in the area – it was pretty obvious why.
It was a very congested area and the operators needed to move gear through on hand pallet trucks and trolleys. Because it was so congested – they were continually hitting the concrete plinths which eventually broke down and fell apart.
The operators were clearly not going to change their way of working or “be more careful”.
I gave this issue some thought – then went back to my Manager and suggested that when the concrete plinth was repaired – we could easily fit steel plates around the external sides of the plinth. Then when the plinth was hit again – the steel plate would protect the concrete sides. Very simple and very cheap. My Manager agreed and I designed a very basic set of protective plates which could be fabricated and fitted to all of the “at risk” plinths in the area.
Engineering Drawings For Minor Works – Protective metal plates added to the sides of concrete plinth after being repaired
Cross reference with Engineering Drawings For Minor Works
Not Only – But Also……
When there is a need to take a deep breath and take a break
- Looking for “A Better Way” – Go to – Engineering the 3R Way for an overview of the 3R Philosophy Review – Refresh – Reset and link to the full list of topics
- Then Take A Break – With the List Of Pages – Engineering Nostalgia for pages of Old Engineer Memories from Engineering practice in the 1960’s/70’s/80’s – with a bit of armed forces and medieval trivia thrown in
- Or check out Engineering Odd Bits for more odd subject matter – including humor and comment
- Challenge yourself and your colleagues with an Engineering Quiz
Engineer & Communicate – Engineering Trivia Quiz – Engineering Nostalgia – Engineering Odd Bits