The safety of the anticipated 400 000 visitors to Ratanga Junction this summer season has been ensured through ongoing preventative maintenance procedures carried out by asset performance management specialist Pragma Siyabonga.
Daily attendance at Africa`s first full-scale theme park during the peak holiday period is expected to vary between 6 000 and 13 000 people. Safety on the park`s 30 rides is management`s primary focus, and is monitored in accordance with the strictest international standards.
"The safety and security of our visitors is of paramount importance to us. There can be no compromise in this regard," says David Kliegl, GM of Ratanga Junction.
Being responsible for the operations management on site, Pragma Siyabonga also manages the maintenance function at the park. The implementation of a total productive maintenance (TPM) philosophy at Ratanga Junction has led to the introduction of an autonomous maintenance style in which operators are involved in maintenance procedures at a basic level.
"By encouraging the operators to work closely with the engineering team, they learn the workings of the machines they operate. This allows them to take more responsibility for the machines and further increase safety," says Deon van Zyl, Pragma Siyabonga`s operations manager at Ratanga Junction.
Maintenance is carefully planned and carried out using Pragma`s On Key asset performance management system (APMS).
"On Key allows us to build a complete history of every asset on site, down to the smallest nut and bolt. Optimal performance, unfailing reliability and cost minimisation are the three core deliverables achieved through the system."
On Key itemises all assets into an asset register. Large pieces of equipment are classified into sub-units until the maintenance significant level (MSI) is reached. Preventative maintenance tasks on MSI`s can then be automatically scheduled. All breakdown and opportunity maintenance work is recorded on the system.
The system provides the maintenance team with constant access to asset history and maintenance related data which, together with user-friendly interactive analysis functionality, allows for the identification of the root causes of asset performance barriers.
"On Key combines preventative maintenance management and performance measurement, enabling the maintenance team of engineers and operators to ensure all the equipment is in perfect working order," says Van Zyl.
Maintenance procedures throughout the year intensify during the park`s shutdown or "hibernation" period between May and November. During the estimated 16 000 man hours during shutdown, Pragma Siyabonga manages the operation, and all equipment at the park is stripped down to the last component. Bearings, bushes and chains are replaced, spare parts are itemised and tracked, structural and welding integrity tests are conducted, alignment of various apparatus is checked, general equipment is cleaned, revarnished or repainted, and all pumps are removed, inspected and stored for the duration of the closure.
Once the major maintenance procedure has been completed, all equipment is reassembled and thoroughly tested to ensure its integrity and the safety of every ride well in advance of the park`s opening for its operating season.
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