Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Having a proper maintenance program for forklifts will help to increase the lifespan of the machine and is also a critical factor to the safe use of the machinery. Completing forklift check ups regularly and doing preventive maintenance on a regular basis would help to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the equipment.
Daily Checklist
In any forklift maintenance program, the daily checklist is an important tool to have. These checklists will document any potential issues. They are required by the OSHA or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The daily checklists can also be audited by OSHA during any routine inspection. Operators are required to complete the inspection from the beginning of their shift. If any major problems are found, the forklift is not to be put into service until the problem has been fixed.
Safety and Maintenance Go Hand-in-Hand
In the US, there are approximately one hundred deaths related to forklift accidents and statistic show that almost 20,000 individuals are seriously injured too. This number translates to represent 54 individuals per day, 7 days a week, for the entire year. Many of these mishaps could be prevented easily if the forklift had been properly serviced and maintained. In some circumstances, it may seem like a cost savings to delay or skip regular maintenance, although, these savings will pale in comparison to the cost of one mishap.
Things to be Serviced
The manufacturers owner instruction manual will include a recommended maintenance schedule. Schedules would vary depending on every manufacturer and each and every kind of forklift. Every schedule would contain various basic items. For example, in a combustion engine, the engine oil and the oil filter should be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels must be checked too. Be certain to check hoses for any indications of cracking. Other items involve the transmission, the electrical systems and the brakes of the forklift.