Maintenance Technology July 2014 - (Page 19)

COVER STORY equipment, and we are thinking more aggressively about pairing maintenance work with normal operation breaks to try not to have an extra gap in the production schedule." This was accomplished in part through the team's efforts to replace the silo approach to job responsibilities with new levels of empowerment and cross-training. "Our carpenters now do backflow preventer maintenance, and have gone to school for their certification," says Zimmer. "And we have steamfitters who are doing plumbing." Jobs are also viewed more holistically, says Iadicola, an example of which is how work is performed on the operation's autoclaves (high-pressure-steam-based sterilizers). "There are multiple things we can do at one time on these units," he says. "We might pair up an electrician who has controls background with a steam mechanic who understands the operation of the unit. This way, instead of the technician thinking he's only maintaining a component on this equipment, it's clear to him that he's maintaining all of this equipment. And there is great efficiency in having both people working on it in real time as opposed to one person doing his work, then handing it off to another." A change in job descriptions-with a focus on detailed, systemspecific information-also helped. "We wrote specific tasks with regard to how our system functions," says Ben Ehnis, Manager, Facilities Resource Planning. "This allowed us to create a repeatable process. And once your process is repeatable you can build flow through it and use it to make additional enhancements." The written, detailed descriptions aided both new workers and those who filled in for absent workers. "This is where the cross-training really comes together and starts to close gaps," says Ehnis. "But [the descriptions] are a living document," he adds. Barry Quinn, Specialist, Facilities Services, and pointperson for EBS' 2006 and 2013 NAME entries. Part of EBS' award-winning team (left to right): Michael Hopkins, Craftworker; Jack Zimmer, General Maintenance Manager; Jason Matheson, Craftworker; Mike Vitello, Senior Manager, Facility Services; and Dan Richardson, Craftworker. Anthrax vs. BioThrax Anthrax is an infectious, usually fatal disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which occurs naturally in soil throughout the world. Infection occurs when the spores enter the body through a cut, abrasion or open sore or by ingestion or inhalation. Once inside the body, anthrax spores germinate into bacteria that then multiply and secrete non-toxic proteins that can become lethal if allowed to combine within the cells of the exposed human or animal. Inhalational anthrax is the most lethal form of anthrax. Anthrax spores are small (2-6 microns in diameter) and easily aerosolized, which makes this the most likely form to be used in an anthrax bioterrorism attack. In the post-9/11 world, anthrax has gained notoriety in the U.S. and around the world. It was in the news last month when up to 86 workers were believed to have been accidentally exposed to it at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in JULY 2014 Atlanta, GA. News stories indicated that the workers were given antibiotics. They may also have been inoculated with BioThrax, the anthrax vaccine produced by Emergent BioSolutions (EBS) at its Lansing, MI, campus. No infections at CDC were reported. BioThrax is the only FDA-licensed anthrax vaccine, and is indicated for the active immunization of disease caused by Bacillus anthracis in persons aged 18 through 65 whose occupation or other activities place them at high risk of exposure. According to EBS, BioThrax is undergoing tests that may also make it valuable for post-exposure use. The vaccine is stockpiled by the U.S. government, and is routinely administered to members of the U.S. military deployed to high-threat areas. For more information, visit biothrax.com. MAINTENANCETECHNOLOGY.COM | 19 http://www.biothrax.com http://www.MAINTENANCETECHNOLOGY.COM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maintenance Technology July 2014

Maintenance Technology July 2014