Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Having a proper maintenance program for forklifts will help to increase the lifespan of the machine and is also a vital factor to the safe use of the equipment. Completing forklift inspection on a regular basis and performing preventive maintenance on a regular basis will help to guarantee the safe and efficient use of the machine.
Daily Checklist
The daily checklist is an invaluable tool in any forklift maintenance program. These checklists will help to document any and all possible problems. They are required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or the OSHA. The daily checklists could also be audited by OSHA during any routine inspection. Operators must complete the inspection from the beginning of their shift. If any major issues are found, the forklift is not to be put into service until the problem has been fixed.
Maintenance and Safety Go Hand-in-Hand
In the United States, there are around one hundred deaths related to forklift accidents and statistic show that nearly 20,000 people are seriously injured too. This number represents 54 people a day, 7 days a week, for the entire year. A lot of these mishaps can be prevented easily if the forklift had been properly serviced and maintained. In several circumstances, it might seem like a cost savings to skip or delay regular maintenance, however, these savings would pale in comparison to the cost of one accident.
Things to be Serviced
The manufacturers owner instruction manual will include a recommended maintenance schedule. Schedules will vary depending on each and every manufacturer and every kind of forklift. Each schedule will contain various basic items. For example, in a combustion engine, the engine oil and the oil filter will have to be replaced periodically. Hydraulic levels must be inspected too. Be certain to check hoses for any signs of cracking. Additional things include the transmission, the electrical systems and the brakes of the forklift.