Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Having a proper maintenance program for forklifts will help to increase the lifespan of the equipment and is also a vital factor to the safe operation of the equipment. Completing regular forklift inspections and doing preventive maintenance on a routine basis will help to guarantee the efficient and safe use of the equipment.
Daily Checklist
In any forklift maintenance program, the daily checklist is an important tool to have. These checklists would document any potential problems. They are required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or the OSHA. The daily checklists can also be audited by OSHA during any routine inspection. Operators should complete the inspection from the beginning of their shift. If any major issues are found, the forklift can not be used until the issue has been fixed.
Safety and Maintenance Go Hand-in-Hand
Every year around 100 people are injured in forklift accidents in the USA. Statistics show that around 20,000 individuals would be injured seriously as a result of a forklift mishap. This number translates to represent 54 individuals a day, 7 days a week, for the whole year. A lot of these accidents could be easily prevented if the forklift had been properly maintained and serviced. In some circumstances, it may seem like a cost savings to delay or skip routine maintenance, although, these savings will pale in comparison to the cost of one accident.
Items to be Serviced
The manufacturers owner instruction manual will include a recommended maintenance schedule. Schedules would vary depending on every manufacturer and every type of forklift. Every schedule would consist of various basic items. Like for example, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil must be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels should be checked also. Be certain to check hoses for any indications of cracking. Additional items involve the electrical systems, the brakes and the transmission of the forklift.