The use of Work Study Techniques in Optimizing Manufacturing Plant Maintenance Processes: an Investigation into a Fertilizer Manufacturing Company in Zimbabwe

This paper explores the use of work study techniques in the optimization of manufacturing plant maintenance processes. An overview of work study strategies from literature is first done and then performance indices for maintenances practices are explored. Recommendations for production and other services like supplies and logistics and human resources that support the maintenance function were done. Plant availability, downtime and quality performance figures taken from January to December 2011 have indicated that the company is indeed experiencing problems. Overall, the maintenance system is ineffective. The research managed to bring out some of the causes of the ineffectiveness of the maintenance system.