A maintenance fitter is a skilled tradesperson responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing industrial machinery and equipment within a factory or production facility, including tasks like identifying faults, replacing worn parts, performing preventative maintenance checks, and responding to emergency breakdowns, often requiring knowledge of mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems to ensure smooth operation of production lines.
Key responsibilities of a maintenance fitter:
- Installing new machinery and equipment according to technical specifications, including fitting and aligning components.
- Conducting routine inspections and servicing of machinery to identify potential issues before they become major problems.
- Troubleshooting malfunctions on machinery, identifying faulty parts, and making necessary repairs.
- Replacing worn or damaged parts on machinery, including bearings, seals, belts, and hoses.
- Responding to urgent breakdowns on the production line and quickly fixing issues to minimise downtime.
- Interpreting technical diagrams to understand machine assembly and component specifications.
- May be required to perform minor welding or fabrication tasks to repair damaged parts
- Keeping records of maintenance activities, including parts replaced and repairs performed
Skills and qualifications for a maintenance fitter:
- Strong understanding of mechanical principles, including gears, bearings, hydraulics, and pneumatics
- Ability to use a variety of hand tools like wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, and measuring instruments
- Familiarity with industrial machinery and equipment commonly used in the industry
- Ability to diagnose faults and identify solutions to complex mechanical issues
- Capability to lift heavy components and work in confined spaces
- Ensuring accurate assembly and proper maintenance procedures
- Adhering to safety protocols and procedures when working on machinery