How does an operator determine what preventative maintenance a piece of equipment requires?

• A. By trial and error
• B. By reading the O&M manual
• C. By asking a supervisor
• D. By listening for unusual noises

Answer: (B)

Preventive maintenance is determined from the equipment’s Operations and Maintenance manual. This manual contains the manufacturer’s recommended tasks, the exact procedures, and the intervals for inspections, lubrication, part replacements, and calibrations. Following those guidelines ensures you perform the right maintenance at the right times, keeping equipment reliable, safe, and compliant with permits and plant policies. Relying on trial and error is inefficient and can cause damage; asking a supervisor might help for specific issues but doesn’t replace the formal PM schedule; listening for unusual noises is reactive and doesn’t address planned maintenance that prevents failures. The manual is your authoritative source for what needs to be done and when.