Final answer:
The practices and procedures that cover maintenance and operation of plant and equipment include Quality Assurance, Risk Management, Preventive Maintenance, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), with SOPs being a vital component for safety and efficiency. Option D is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
Maintenance and operational practices, processes, and procedures that cover a range of plant and equipment include:
Quality Assurance - Ensuring that products and services meet specified requirements consistently.
Risk Management - Identifying, assessing, and controlling threats to an organization's capital and earnings.
Preventive Maintenance - Routine maintenance to prevent equipment failure before it occurs.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) - Established or prescribed methods to be followed routinely for the performance of designated operations or in designated situations.
Quality Assurance is part of the broader field of quality management and focuses on providing confidence that quality requirements will be fulfilled. Risk Management is the forecasting and evaluation of financial risks together with the identification of procedures to avoid or minimize their impact.
Preventive Maintenance is conducted to keep equipment working and/or extend the life of the equipment. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) serve as a guide for employees to carry out operations correctly, which is vital for maintaining the safety and efficiency of operations.