What is meant by "autonomous maintenance" in TPC?

"Autonomous maintenance" refers to the practice of empowering operators to take responsibility for routine maintenance tasks. This approach encourages operators to become more involved in the upkeep of the equipment they work with, enabling them to identify, address, and prevent minor issues before they lead to significant problems or equipment failures.

By equipping operators with the knowledge and tools needed for basic maintenance, organizations can foster a sense of ownership and accountability among team members, ultimately enhancing the reliability of equipment and improving overall operational efficiency. This proactive step not only increases the skill set of the operators but also leads to increased engagement and morale in the workplace.

The other choices highlight different maintenance strategies but do not capture the essence of autonomous maintenance as effectively. Delegating maintenance tasks to a separate team may lead to a disconnect between operators and the equipment they handle. Hiring external contractors can be beneficial for specialized tasks but does not empower the existing workforce. Conducting maintenance only after failures occurs is reactive rather than proactive and does not align with the principles of autonomous maintenance, which focuses on prevention and routine care.