How good is your Oil Analysis Program?

PROGRAM SCOPE: What is the main purpose of your oil analysis program?

0 = Not sure OR We’re only checking if using the correct oil
1 = Monitoring wear debris AND/OR Catching failures earlier
2 = To drive our contamination control program
3 = So we can manage condition based oil changes

SAMPLING COMPLIANCE: How often do you take oil samples?

0 = No sampling program in place
1 = Not consistently (randomly sample) OR Only after failure
2 = Routine based for critical assets only
3 = Routine based for all equipment

SAMPLE COLLECTION: Do you have proper sample fittings installed?

0 = No fittings installed: we only when machine shut down (use oil drains or bottle dunk)
1 = No fittings installed: we sample while the machine is running
2 = Yes, fittings are installed on critical equipment, sample on live equipment
3 = Yes, fittings are installed on all live equipment in correct locations

SAMPLE REGISTRATION: How do you register your oil samples?

0 = Write info directly on the sample jars
1 = Use the paper sample cards provided by lab
2 = We register online through the lab application (e.g. myLab) and print labels
3 = We use a mobile app for registration

DATA REVIEW: How do you review your oil analysis results?

0 = Email only
1 = Mostly email, but I will login to myLab when I see something bad
2 = myLab is my main portal for oil analysis results review
3 = My test results are integrated into my CMMS

DATA INTERPRETATION: Do you understand the reports and results from your oil analysis?

0 = No, I just sample. I don’t have a good understanding of the results
1 = I understand the very basics of how to interpret sample results
2 = I have a general understanding of the equipment I am responsible for and how to interpret results
3 = I am fully trained and certified. I understand how to read all data and take action as needed

DATA RESPONSE: Do you take action based on your oil sample results?

0 = Very rarely
1 = Only when its obvious OR Take a re-sample to confirm only
2 = Yes, for the conditions we only care about, everything else is noise
3 = Yes, we have sophisticated evaluation process done by certified technicians

TRAINING: Are responsibilities assigned and training provided to program team members?

0 = No training provided
1 = Learned role and responsibilities on the job
2 = Program lead is certified and trained
3 = Everyone involved is certified and trained for their responsibilities

BIG PICTURE: How successful do you think your oil analysis program is?

0 = No program exists
1 = We are in the infancy of our program and have just started sampling and reviewing.
2 = We have a well established program where our critical assets are sampled, reviewed and corrective actions taken as needed.
3 = World class program that has been an example for other sites within the company with all assets regularly reviewed and corrective actions taken as needed.

BUY IN: What is your management’s perspective regarding condition monitoring / reliability improvements?

0 = No interest in it, we have a “run to failure” mentality on most equipment, minimal improvements are done.
1 = We have begun doing criticality analysis and FMEA on only the most important assets on site.
2 = We have completed a full review of only the most critical assets and their role including FMEA, criticality, RCM, and the best condition monitoring tools in place for each asset.
3 = We have had a full review of every asset and its role including FMEA, criticality, RCM, and the best condition monitoring tools in place for each asset.