Preventive measures refer to actions taken beforehand, with an aim to prevent something from happening or reduce its impact. These are proactive steps that can be taken to minimize risks and avoid potential problems in advance. They could involve anything from taking safety precautions, maintaining equipment regularly, conducting regular checks, implementing policies and procedures, providing training, etc., depending on the specific situation. The goal of preventive measures is to keep things running smoothly by addressing issues before they become major problems, thereby saving time, money, and resources in the long run.