How to Manage Equipment Breakdown on a Jobsite: 4 Simple Strategies 

By Oscar Collins

Construction equipment is recognized as one of the most critical assets on a jobsite. Unfortunately, they are vulnerable to problems and breakdowns, especially when they haven’t been properly maintained in a while.

It’s crucial to contain and address the issues when they arise, as well as prevent further breakdowns in the future.

The Impact of Equipment Breakdown on Jobsites

Equipment breakdown can bring all kinds of trouble to utility contractors and other on-site workers, potentially even resulting in injury or death. More commonly, breakdowns turn into downtime, which can lower contractors’ overall productivity rate. The disruptions would also lead to project delays, budget overruns and client dissatisfaction.

Managing the Aftermath

You need to be present and proactive when equipment breakdowns occur. Here are several ways you can manage the issue:

1. Isolate the Equipment

Equipment issues can occur everywhere. If your construction equipment breaks down on the jobsite, consider moving it to a more isolated spot. It’s essential to inspect and troubleshoot the problem without workers present to avoid further workflow disruptions and minimize the risk of injury.

If your utility truck breaks down en route to the jobsite, turn on your emergency flashers to boost visibility for other drivers first. From there, signal and pull over to get off the road. You can turn the wheels away from the road when on a slope. You should be able to call for assistance afterward.

2. Assess the Problem

Once the location has been sorted out, it’s time to verify the actual problem. Wobbles or low-pitched noises could indicate tire blowouts on utility vehicles, which can be lethal for drivers if they continue to move.

You can also look for visible signs, such as high engine temperatures or cracks in components. Once the root cause has been identified, narrow it down and troubleshoot the issue.

Keep in mind that rental providers will require you to disclose the equipment issue and to coordinate on how to handle it. Some companies have protocols for these situations and may even take responsibility for the complications. However, that still depends on the inspection and whether your team is responsible for the breakdown in the first place.

3. Test for Redeployment

After the affected equipment has been fine-tuned, thoroughly test the equipment before returning it to service. The main goal is to ensure that the issue is gone, which can require more thorough and longer procedures. Avoid rushing this step to ensure safety and reliability.

Some units may still require follow-up checkups to confirm that the item is operating properly. If not, you may have to move to the next step of choosing between another round of repairs or completely replacing the unit.

4. Consider Repair or Replacement

Utility contractors need to choose between repairing and replacing equipment. Repair can rack up high costs, but it would mean keeping the same machinery and avoiding the need for retraining workers to use it. Replacements create their own set of expenses, but it can be viable if the equipment is reaching the end of its useful life.

You can even consider selling the machinery to get additional funds for the replacement. That said, keep in mind that several factors can affect its resale value. A study finds that the number of operating hours and overall condition rating comprises 15.5% of the relevant factors impacting the total value.

Prevent the Issue from Occurring Again

Managing equipment breakdown on a jobsite should also include a proactive preventive plan. Here are several tips to help achieve that approach:

1. Understand Why the Breakdown Occurred

It’s important to understand why the breakdown occurred. A study on the productivity of construction equipment noted that breakdowns occur due to five key factors, which consist of:

• Improper maintenance of equipment: Equipment should undergo routine maintenance to ensure it remains fully functional. A lack of maintenance can lead to preventable problems.
• A lack of necessary equipment: Breakdowns may occur because the wrong piece of machinery was deployed. It’s crucial for utility contractors to improve decision-making on what equipment to use.
• Poor equipment performance: Machines are prone to poor performance or even failure as they age or when mishandled. Seeking better rentals or implementing better equipment handling training can help.
• Equipment efficiency: Breakdowns can also occur due to extended hours or overloading capacity. In turn, the issues will plague overall equipment effectiveness.
• Inadequate modern equipment: Equipment issues may also occur because the unit was not designed for the level of work required by contractors. It should warrant replacements with more advanced machinery.

2. Work on Preventive Maintenance

Having preventive measures and checkups can greatly minimize breakdowns. A study finds that only 38% of industrial businesses manage equipment with preventive maintenance, while 35% practice reactive maintenance.

Reactive maintenance can be effective in mitigating breakdowns, but it only addresses problems as they come. With preventive maintenance, you’re aiming to avoid problems and keep the equipment in the best possible condition.

3. Conduct Daily Inspections

Spare some time at the start and end of work shifts to conduct construction equipment inspections. Checking utility vehicles and other machinery can go a long way toward identifying issues early and fixing them before they worsen. Aside from protecting on-site productivity, you’d be ensuring long-term work safety.

4. Train Operators and Workers

As human error can cause equipment breakdown, ensure that operators and contractors alike are properly trained to handle it. They should also be taught to identify any signs of failure so that they can act accordingly. Implement refresher training in the future to ensure everyone recalls the right protocols.

Build Resilience Through Preparation

Equipment breakdown on a jobsite can be both risky and costly for construction teams. It’s critical to manage these pieces of machinery and to get them back online as soon as possible. Make sure to recognize gaps in preventive maintenance and equipment training as well, to avoid future issues.

Oscar Collins is the editor-in-chief at Modded. He’s written for sites like Contractor and StartupNation. Follow him on Twitter at @TModded for frequent updates on his work.