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 use of the equipment. Completing regular forklift check ups and performing preventive maintenance on a routine basis will help to guarantee the safe and efficient operation of the machinery.
Daily Checklist
In any forklift maintenance program, the daily checklist is an invaluable tool to have. These checklists would document any possible issues. 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. Drivers should complete the inspection from the start of their shift. If any major issues are found, the forklift can not be used until the issue has been fixed.
Maintenance and Safety Go Hand-in-Hand
Every year approximately 100 individuals are injured in forklift mishaps within the USA. Statistics show that about 20,000 individuals would be seriously injured because of a forklift mishap. This number represents 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 several 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 accident.
Things to be Serviced
In the owner's manual of each machine, the manufacturer would include a maintenance schedule. These schedules will vary greatly, depending on the manufacturer and the kind of machinery. Every schedule would consist of a variety of basic things. Like for instance, in a combustion engine, the engine oil and the oil filter will have to be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels must be checked also. Be certain to inspect hoses for any indications of cracking. Additional things involve the transmission, the electrical systems and the brakes of the forklift.