The industrial world, particularly in the mining sector, experiences crucial periods known as "shutdowns", during which the facilities that extract nickel from ores are put on standby for maintenance, repair and improvement work. In an interview with Rémy, Easy Skill's expert in technical assistance and recruitment for such projects, we took a behind-the-scenes look at these major events and how to prepare your teams for a maintenance shutdown.
1. Identifying resources
Rémy highlights the crucial importance of the preparatory phase in ensuring the success of a maintenance shutdown. The first step is to identify the necessary resources. Accurate forward planning of maintenance shutdowns plays an essential role in this phase. It enables customers to forecast their staffing requirements with an accuracy of up to a week or more. Experienced customers establish solid procedures for identifying staffing requirements early in the process.
Given that maintenance shutdowns can involve several hundred people, early planning is essential. To identify the right resources, it's imperative to have a detailed description of jobs and the working environment, as well as a good understanding of the specifics of the site and the tasks to be carried out.
2. Profile selection
When it comes to selecting team members for a maintenance shutdown, Rémy stresses the importance of in-depth knowledge of the site. Experienced profiles, having already taken part in several maintenance shutdowns and demonstrated their efficiency, are naturally preferred. However, there is also a willingness to integrate younger profiles to build up a pool of local experts.
The average age of juniors, particularly in the electrical field, is rather young, between 25 and 35. In the fields of boiler-making, mechanics, piping and welding, the average age is slightly higher, hovering around 40-45. Maintenance shutdowns offer intense and accelerated experience, enabling young talent to progress rapidly in their careers.
3. Safety training: an essential prerequisite
Staff training prior to a maintenance shutdown is crucial. The nickel plant is a dangerous environment, especially with its molten metal furnace.
To work on maintenance shutdowns, 4 safety training courses are required: general HSE inductions, H0 B0 clearance, working at heights and in confined spaces. Each consultant must go through these stages before being operational on site.
4. Mobilizing teams in advance
Rémy emphasizes the importance of mobilizing teams before the maintenance shutdown. It's important to physically bring teams together before work begins, offering greater cohesion and efficiency than teams who meet at the last minute on site. Mobilization is not limited to recruitment, but also encompasses logistical management to facilitate the integration of consultants as soon as they arrive.
In conclusion, careful preparation of resources for a maintenance shutdown in nickel plants is essential to ensure the success of these major events. Early identification of personnel needs, careful selection of profiles, rigorous safety training and early mobilization of teams are all key factors. By investing in accurate forward planning and comprehensive preparation, companies can ensure smooth and efficient maintenance shutdowns, contributing to the sustainability and safety of their industrial operations.
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