Final answer:
A bad plant layout is indicated by increased handling and transportation costs, poor space utilization, increased production times, maintenance difficulties, and heightened safety risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The symptoms of a bad plant layout often manifest as operational inefficiencies and setbacks in the industrial process. These symptoms can become evident through several key indicators, such as:
- Increased material handling and transportation costs, rendering the production process more expensive and time-consuming.
- Poor utilization of space, demonstrated by crowded or underused work areas, leading to inefficiencies in operations.
- Increased production times due to improper sequencing or flow of operations, resulting in delays and longer cycle times.
- Difficulty in maintaining machinery due to inaccessibility or cramped positioning, leading to higher downtime and maintenance costs.
- Increased safety issues, due to tight or cluttered working spaces, which can pose hazards to personnel and increase the risk of accidents.
Effective plant layout design is crucial for optimizing manufacturing efficiency, reducing costs, and ensuring worker safety. It requires a strategic approach to arrangement of machinery, equipment, and workflow to minimize wastage of resources and time.