Which maintenance approach is proactive rather than reactive?

The correct answer is preventive maintenance, as this approach focuses on the systematic and scheduled maintenance of equipment before potential failures occur. Preventive maintenance aims to enhance the reliability and longevity of equipment by regularly inspecting, servicing, and replacing parts as needed. This proactive strategy helps identify and address issues before they escalate into significant problems that could cause operational disruptions or equipment breakdowns.

In contrast, corrective maintenance is reactive, addressing problems as they arise after failure has occurred. Emergency maintenance is also a reactive approach that focuses on urgent repairs to prevent immediate risks or hazards. Scheduled maintenance could refer to either preventive or corrective actions, but without the context of being explicitly designed to prevent issues, it can sometimes involve addressing existing issues rather than preventing future ones. Thus, preventive maintenance stands out as the approach that prioritizes anticipating and mitigating potential equipment failures.