This is such a real and challenging dilemma that many engineers and technicians face daily. I completely understand the tension you're describing - on one hand, there's the constant pressure from management to maintain production targets and avoid downtime, but on the other hand, you have that nagging ethical responsibility to ensure safety-critical systems are properly maintained to prevent potential disasters.

From what I've seen, the key is finding a middle ground through clear communication and documentation. First, it's crucial to document all maintenance needs and safety concerns in writing - this creates a paper trail that shows you've done your due diligence. When management pushes for continuous operation, you can present them with the documented risks and potential consequences of skipping maintenance.

Another approach is to work with management to develop scheduled maintenance windows that minimize production impact. Maybe you can propose running at reduced capacity during certain periods or scheduling maintenance during planned downtime. The ethical responsibility for safety-critical systems is non-negotiable - human lives could literally be at stake. But you can frame it to management as risk management: proper maintenance prevents catastrophic failures that would cause far more downtime and financial loss than scheduled maintenance ever would.

Have you tried implementing any specific strategies to address this tension in your workplace? It might also help to reference industry standards and regulations that mandate certain maintenance protocols for safety-critical systems - sometimes having that external authority backing you up makes the conversation easier.