Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1546661
Equipment Reliability Begins with People Preventative maintenance is not just the responsibility of the maintenance department. Every employee should learn to rec- ognize early warning signs of equipment problems or unsafe conditions. Ice technicians, front desk staff, concession workers, and custodians all interact with different parts of the facility throughout the day. Fostering a culture where employees report concerns right away helps prevent small issues from turning into costly repairs or safety hazards. Regular maintenance meetings and safety discussions reinforce that everyone plays a role in protecting the facility. Documentation Turns Maintenance into a Management Tool Preventative maintenance only works when it is consistently documented. Inspection reports, service records, lubrication schedules, equipment hours, and repair histories help operators find recurring issues before they turn into chronic failures. Maintenance records also aid budgeting by allowing managers to anticipate replacement cycles and avoid reacting to emergencies. Furthermore, proper documentation provides legal protection. If an accident happens, documented inspections and maintenance records show that reasonable care was taken to keep the facility safe. Safety Is a Byproduct of Good Maintenance Well-maintained facilities are naturally safer. Routine inspec- tions lower the chances of: o Slip-and-fall hazards o Equipment failures o Refrigeration issues o Unsafe playing surfaces o Employee injuries Proactive operators treat safety as an integral part of every maintenance program. Every repaired floor transition, tightened dasher board panel, or serviced ice resurfacer lessens the chance of an accident. Risk Management Starts with Prevention No maintenance program can prevent every accident, but it can greatly lower the situations that often lead to claims. Many lawsuits arise from issues that could have been fixed through routine inspections, like damaged f looring, standing water, 34 / SEPTEMBER.OCTOBER.2026 USICERINKS.COM PHOTO: RINK ARCHIVES WHAT STARTS AS A MINOR MAINTENANCE ISSUE CAN QUICKLY TURN INTO EXPENSIVE REPAIRS, LOST ICE TIME, EMERGENCY SERVICE CALLS, AND UNHAPPY CUSTOMERS." T H E P R E V E N T I O N P L A N