Fleet managers are often faced with several challenges. Their teams are usually thin. At the same time, downtime is costly, and the cost of lost productivity is high. When equipment failures are dealt with quickly and efficiently, it helps keep staffing levels consistent, costs down, and work levels stable. Whether carrying out preventative maintenance or accident repairs, fast, efficient service is critical.
As they make do with fewer workers, they are unable to meet daily demands. With this in mind, here are some of the challenges that maintenance managers face.
1. Injuries and Accidents
It’s common for workers in industrial environments to experience a range of workplace-related injuries, including cuts, burns, lacerations, and inhalation trauma. These injuries account for $20 billion in direct medical costs each year. The most common hazard is slips, trips and falls. Injuries are costly. An injured employee can’t work, which means lost revenue.
In addition, the employer is responsible for workers’ compensation, which can be quite expensive. Employers are also legally liable for work-related injuries. In many cases, the cost of an injury is much higher than the cost of preventative measures to prevent the injury in the first place.
2. Safety Hazards
Many of the manufacturing processes in use today are inherently dangerous. In addition, contractors working in the facility are likely to be less aware of the hazards associated with their jobs. A hazard is an area or property where a person is exposed to a risk of injury or illness. For example, a piece of the machinery may be sticking out in an area where workers are present. Moreover, hazards can also include substances or chemicals that are unhealthy, unsafe, or
3. Supply Shortage
This is a common problem in the industrial sector. When inventory isn’t managed properly, manufacturers are more likely to go over budget, which results in loss of revenue. Since they lack the necessary parts and tools, they spend more time looking for needed inventory, and they may not be able to complete a job in a timely manner.
4. High Turnover
Maintaining a constant and qualified workforce is one of the biggest challenges facing plant managers. Turnover is high, with many plant workers leaving for better-paying jobs with other companies. When their employees leave, managers must re-establish their training programs and start their onboarding programs from scratch. The lost time and money associated with turnover can quickly erode profits.
5. Costly Delays
When maintenance workers spend too much time making an inventory or finding parts, it results in higher costs for the company. The delays result in a loss of revenue as a job isn’t completed on time. In addition, the company could face fines when needed equipment is not in use.
6. Communication Breakdowns
In many businesses, the most valuable resource is the network of relationships, information and expertise held by individuals throughout the company. When these informal relationships aren’t managed properly, it can result in issues with quality, service levels and even safety. Every company has its own culture and its own way of doing things. Creating a strong, positive culture is crucial to good management.
7. Poor Organizational Systems
Distracted workers often lead to lower production, higher error rates and dissatisfied customers. Developing a system to train employees, make sure they are trained on the important aspects of the organization and to ensure they are working effectively can be challenging. The key is to find out what motivates or demotivates your staff, and to make sure that they are being properly trained in the skills they need.
Conclusion
In order to meet customer demands, fleet managers must do more with less. In response, they need to look for new fleet management software and tools to help them meet their goals and improve efficiency. This will also help them organize and streamline data, including parts and inventory, so the fleet manager is better able to proactively manage the fleet in real-time.
When selecting the right fleet management software, it’s important to consider several factors, including the size of the fleet and the number of service vehicles. At Manage Vehicle, we are a fleet accident management software that can assist you in managing all your vehicles, improving fleet safety, and saving costs. Let us help manage your fleet to reduce the challenges you face. Book a discovery call today!
