Cleaning is inspection poster

In TPM, cleaning is inspection: an operator who cleans their own machine by hand gets close enough to notice the small faults that grow into breakdowns, such as a loose bolt, a weeping seal, a frayed belt or a new rattle. This poster lists eight things to check while cleaning and the rule for each find: fix it if it is small and safe to fix, otherwise tag it so maintenance can.

Download the poster

The PNG is free to download now. The print-ready vector PDFs open after a short form, once.

Download PNG (300 dpi)2550 x 3300 px, prints at 8.5 x 11 in · 445 KB · no form

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The words on the poster

Cleaning is inspection

Clean it by hand and you find what is about to fail. Fix it if small and safe, or tag it.

Loose Bolts, nuts, covers and brackets that move.
Leaking Oil, air, water or coolant. Drips and wet patches.
Worn Belts, chains, hoses and cable sheaths.
Cracked Welds, guards, gauge glasses.
Missing Bolts, labels, covers, caps.
Dirt build-up Chips, dust and grease that hide a fault.
Noise or vibration New rattles, squeals, knocks. Listen before you stop.
Heat or smell Hot spots, burnt smell, scorched paint.

Lock out before you reach in. Clean with a brush or cloth, never with compressed air.

On the floor

How to use it

Putting the Cleaning is inspection poster to work

1
Hang it at the machine during initial cleaning (autonomous maintenance step 1), and keep it there for daily cleaning.
2
Before a cleaning session, read the eight cards with the team and agree who tags what.
3
Count the tags each cleaning raises: the number falls as the machine gets healthier.
4
Pair it with the 7 types of abnormality poster and the free TPM tag log.

Where the poster goes and how to teach with it, in the order to try them.

Which size to print

24 x 36 in or A2: a main wall or team board, read from a few metres away.
18 x 24 in or A3: a station or notice board. The A3 file also fits 11 x 17 in paper.
Letter or A4: a clipboard, binder or handout, on any office printer.

Every PDF is vector, so it stays sharp at full size. Nothing runs to the edge of the page, so no bleed is needed.

Sources and notes

Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance (ed.), Autonomous Maintenance for Operators (Productivity Press, 1997), and TPM for Every Operator (Productivity Press, 1996).