Which maintenance strategy involves routine checks and tasks to prevent failures?

The correct answer is preventive maintenance. This strategy is focused on proactively carrying out routine checks and specific tasks intended to prevent equipment failures before they occur. By performing regular inspections, servicing, and minor adjustments, preventive maintenance aims to extend the lifespan of machinery and reduce the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns that can lead to costly repairs and downtime.

Preventive maintenance is distinct from other strategies because it emphasizes planned interventions based on time intervals or equipment usage rather than waiting for a failure to occur. This makes it an effective approach for ensuring reliability and optimal performance of equipment, ultimately contributing to operational efficiency and safety.

In contrast, options such as breakdown maintenance and reactive maintenance involve addressing problems only after they have occurred. Scheduled maintenance could overlap with preventive maintenance but does not inherently include the proactive aspect, as it can also refer to planned maintenance activities regardless of whether they focus on preventing failures or merely adhering to a timetable without preventative intent.