What Does a Technician Do For Equipment Maintenance?

With the rise of construction projects, the need for construction workers is also rising. It is estimated that there will be about 42,300 openings for equipment maintenance technicians each year for the next decade.

Equipment maintenance technicians repair and maintain machinery by pinpointing issues, intercepting equipment failures, and proposing new plans to prevent future accidents.

He/she performs routine maintenance of equipment by checking it around the clock and offering proactive inspections or on-the-spot repair. 

Equipment maintenance technicians are crucial to any construction site, factory, or place where heavy machinery is used. Let's elaborate on their duties and responsibilities.

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What does an equipment maintenance technician do?

They are professionals who repair and maintain machinery, equipment, tools, and facilities. They mainly diagnose issues that arise with the equipment, perform repairs and preventative maintenance, and are responsible for the repair and upkeep of these tools/hardware.

Being an equipment maintenance technician is not easy. It requires a lot of experience, knowledge, and the ability to extract the root cause of any issue and execute it in a professional and timely manner.

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What are the responsibilities of an equipment maintenance technician?

An equipment maintenance technician has many responsibilities related to different factors and fields of expertise.

14% are proficient in equipment maintenance, 8% in preventive maintenance, and 4% in production equipment. 

However, here is an overview of what every technician is responsible for.

1. Equipment Maintenance and Operation

• Make sure all tools and equipment are in a clean, safe, and working order.
• Keep track of equipment that needs repairing or is undergoing the process.
• Be aware of the incoming and outgoing rental equipment.
• Maintain track records on the tracking software app.
• Maintain preventive checks and perform necessary diagnostic tests.

1. Customer Service and Communication

• Deal with incoming work requests and schedule them accordingly.
• Communicate with contracts effectively to gain more insight related to the site.
• Organize and plan preventive maintenance and repairs as a priority.
• Manage data on the interface by logging into the work routine to proactively communicate with other employees and owners.

1. Teamwork and Leadership

• Pay attention to the pass-down issues by other technicians and highlight them effectively.
• Team up with technicians from other departments to accomplish tasks smoothly. 

1. Quality Control and Analysis

• Provide quality control checks and assure the employer.
• Identify, repair, and draft all the necessary points on the tracking monitor for reports and articles.

1. Safety and Compliance

• Make sure all safety protocols are being followed in compliance with the rules and regulations.

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What skills are required to become an equipment maintenance technician?

Hard Skills

They usually qualify as quantifiable technical knowledge crucial in addressing and fixing issues.

• Knowledge about general procedures and repair tasks.
• Technical knowledge of upkeeping machinery and their operations.
• Be aware of what the mechanical and electrical principles comprise.
• Work by OSHA safety protocols and other regulations.

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Soft Skills

These are related to how a technician adheres to the situation, builds positive relationships with their team members, and maintains a positive attitude.

• Problem-solving, team-working/building, and communication skills are a must.
• The ability to pinpoint root causes and comprehend issues beforehand.
• Organizing skills lead to more structured planning.
• Ability to work under pressure and patiently.

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The code of conduct for an equipment maintenance technician.

Step 1. Equip all the safety gear.

According to OSHA, there were 5,486 fatal work injuries in the year 2022, making it even more necessary to follow safety protocols.

An equipment maintenance technician often works in hazardous environments; thus, they must wear a sanitized full-body gown, gloves, safety glasses, and special footwear before heading to their departments.

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Step 2. Discuss the pass-down issues and prioritize the issues for the day.

The technicians responsible for installing, setting up, and maintaining heavy machinery and equipment before your shift will wait to pass down necessary information and details about the ongoing work to keep them updated. This step is crucial before beginning the shift.

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Step 3. Troubleshoot the problems with the equipment.

Whenever a machine breaks down or needs repair, the maintenance technician is notified via phone. The technician must identify and get to the cause of the problem while providing preventative maintenance.

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Step 4. Check in all the necessary data.

You need to provide reports, data, and analysis to your team of fellow technicians, engineers, and operators working on-site so they can access them anytime through the tracker management software app and always be prepared for the upcoming task.

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Step 5. Participate in the emergency response team issues.

As part of a technician's job, training is provided during the initial days of joining on how to respond to gas leaks, emergencies, and alarms. Thus, if the technician is nearest to the emergency spot, he/she must take action accordingly.

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Step 6. Pass down the remaining issues to the next shift worker.

When the shift ends, the employee is obliged to pass on all necessary information and data to the next worker in the shift. This ensures time savings and smooth processes.

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How much does an equipment maintenance technician earn?

The average salary of an equipment maintenance technician would be $57,653 per year. They can also make an extra $7,500 by working overtime.

However, an entry-level technician can make somewhere between $29,000 to $41,004 per year for a $19.71 hourly rate.

They also get to enjoy paid time off and various insurances, including dental, health, vision, disability, and life insurance. They also get parental leave and access to an employee assistance program.

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What should be the qualifications of an equipment maintenance technician?

A high school diploma is a must, but certain certifications and requirements/experience quotas must be met for various jobs.

39% of equipment technicians hold an associate's degree, 29% have a bachelor's degree, and 20% have a high school diploma.

Even though working on less complicated equipment can easily be learned through a year of training, completing a major in electrical engineering, business, or automotive technology can lead to a better-paying job.

Some certifications provide proof of competency to employers, and the best ones are EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA), Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma), and OSHA Safety Certificate. Other certifications that hold great value are.

Equip your technician with Clue!

Clue is the tracking software you need for your construction site. It allows you and your equipment maintenance technician to record, analyze, and maintain data all under one glass pane.

Clue allows your team to be on the same page regarding maintenance issues, repairs, equipment loading/offloading, check-ins/checkouts, and upcoming employee schedules/routines.

With this software, you can turn the tables around by providing a proactive approach to preventative maintenance. This app links all your equipment and tools through a QR code, barcode, and GPS trackers to update you and your technicians on the health/working hours and issues arising in the machinery/equipment. 

Your technicians can address repair issues ahead of time and prevent downtime by using the app's notifications. They can also keep track of inventory to ensure all tools are present to keep the equipment up and running.

Furthermore, it has a checklist feature and calendar, which can aid your workers in clocking in their entry/exits and booking equipment according to the availability of tools, eliminating any mix-ups.

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Hire a maintenance technician today!

Hiring a maintenance technician can reduce downtime costs and keep safety protocols intact. Due to the increased longevity of your machinery, you will be able to save a lot of money and complete projects on time. 

An equipment maintenance technician is a crucial part of a working team who is well-versed in locating deep-rooted issues, providing feedback, and acting on time to eradicate any future problems.

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FAQs

What industries or types of equipment do equipment maintenance technicians typically work with?

Equipment maintenance technicians typically work with heavy equipment in various industries, including manufacturing, energy, and construction. They specialize in inspecting, maintaining, and repairing machinery to ensure it operates efficiently and safely.

What safety precautions should equipment maintenance technicians follow?

1. Regular Inspections: Inspect all equipment regularly and ensure it is maintained in good working condition.
2. Machine Guards: Use appropriate machine guards to protect against moving parts.
3. Lockout/Tagout Procedures: Follow lockout/tagout procedures to ensure machines are properly shut off and unable to start during maintenance.
4. Field Maintenance: Take extra precautions when performing maintenance in the field.
5. Training and Procedures: Ensure technicians are properly trained and follow safe operating procedures.

How do equipment maintenance technicians handle emergencies or urgent repair situations?