Everyone and most everything needs a rest once in a while, and most everything needs maintenance also to keep working efficiently and effectively. If we think about our biotechnology production systems being composed of people, processes, equipment, facilities, and systems, at least two of these—equipment and facilities—need maintenance, and at least one—people—need rest. Most of these elements will not be able to operate efficiently or effectively without rest and/or maintenance. I think everyone agrees with this premise, but how much rest or maintenance is needed then? I propose enough to keep everything running smoothly and not burn people out.
Now it is Winter, and I find myself looking at the resting, bare trees and thinking about how they use antifreeze (sugars and fatty acids) and cellular water pumps to keep the live cells from freezing, while still storing energy in preparation for Spring. This is an interesting feat—to keep from freezing while still using enough energy to survive, rest and get ready for the Spring growing season. The trees are actively resting. We can take some hints from nature here, recognizing our need for rest, relaxation, and renewal.
I think everyone would agree that people need periodic rest. Our industry is complicated, with highly skilled and educated people who are often very hardworking and dedicated to promoting the health and wellbeing of others. Especially in this context, people need a break to be able to come back to work, refreshed and relaxed and ready to contribute once again. People are, of course, a key element to success in our industry. Nothing happens without good personnel.
I have seen in our biotechnology industry plants running all the time, without a break, and deferred maintenance forcing repairs and maintenance to be done at an inopportune time. This is not an ideal way to run, of course. All facilities and equipment need a break, and maintenance is best planned, rather than done only when required. There are exceptions of course, and one is pumps that are run to failure, but this is also planned. Planned maintenance is doing enough maintenance to keep equipment and facilities running efficiently and effectively. Sometimes this includes changing out parts that are close to the end of their life, even though they are working fine. This is an accepted way to prevent downtime.
Let’s remember to take time to rest and renew our bodies and minds, considering the trees that also take time to rest and renew themselves, both preparing for Winter and new growth in Spring. In the same way, let us not neglect facilities or equipment, looking after them as well, so that their effectiveness and efficiency can be relied on.
January 3, 2023