Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Forklifts need a proper maintenance program to help increase the machine's lifespan and is an essential factor in allowing the equipment to run safely and effectively. Completing regular forklift inspections and doing preventive maintenance on a regular basis would help to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the machinery.
Daily Checklist
The daily checklist is an important tool in any forklift maintenance program. These checklists will help to document any and all possible issues. 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 are required to 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.
Maintenance and Safety Go Hand-in-Hand
Within the US, there are approximately one hundred deaths related to forklift mishaps and statistic show that nearly 20,000 individuals are seriously injured too. This number translates to represent 54 individuals a day, 7 days a week, for the entire year. A lot of these mishaps could be easily prevented if the forklift had been properly serviced and maintained. In some circumstances, it may seem like a cost savings to skip or delay regular maintenance, although, 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 would differ depending on every manufacturer and every model of forklift. Every schedule would contain a variety of basic things. Like for example, in a combustion engine, the engine oil and the oil filter would need to be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels will have to be checked too. Be sure to inspect hoses for any indications of cracking. Other items involve the transmission, the electrical systems and the brakes of the forklift.