Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Having a proper maintenance program for forklifts would help to increase the lifespan of the machinery and is also a vital factor to the safe operation of the machinery. Completing regular forklift check ups and doing preventive maintenance on a regular basis would help to guarantee the efficient and safe operation of the equipment.
Daily Checklist
In any forklift maintenance program, the daily checklist is an invaluable 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 could also be audited by OSHA during any routine inspection. Operators should complete the inspection from the start of their shift. If any major problems are found, the forklift can not be used until the issue has been fixed.
Maintenance and Safety Go Hand-in-Hand
In the US, there are about one hundred deaths related to forklift accidents and statistic show that almost 20,000 individuals are seriously injured too. This number represents 54 people per day, 7 days a week, for the whole year. Many of these accidents can be easily prevented if the forklift had been properly maintained and serviced. In some circumstances, it may seem like a cost savings to skip or delay routine maintenance, however, these savings would pale in comparison to the cost of a single accident.
Things to be Serviced
The manufacturers owner manual will include a recommended maintenance schedule. Schedules will vary depending on each manufacturer and every model of forklift. Each schedule would consist of a variety of basic things. Like for example, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil should be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels would need to be inspected too. Be certain to inspect hoses for any indications of cracking. Other things include the electrical systems, the brakes and the transmission of the forklift.