Which role is primarily responsible for notifying supervisors about maintenance problems?

The role that is primarily responsible for notifying supervisors about maintenance problems is indeed any affected employee. In a Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) system, communication at all levels of an organization is crucial for maintaining equipment and processes effectively. Employees who work directly with machinery or equipment are often the first to notice when there’s a problem or a potential issue. By encouraging all employees to be vigilant and report problems, organizations can foster a proactive maintenance culture that prevents minor issues from escalating into significant breakdowns.

This approach aligns with the fundamental TPM principle of involving all employees in the maintenance process, empowering them to take responsibility for the equipment they use. Employees are more likely to be familiar with the day-to-day operation of machinery and can provide immediate feedback that might be overlooked by management or specialized maintenance teams. This bottom-up communication enhances the overall efficiency and reliability of operations.