Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Forklifts need a proper maintenance program to help increase the machine's lifespan and is an essential factor in allowing the machinery to function effectively and safely. Completing forklift check ups regularly and doing preventive maintenance on a routine basis will help to ensure the safe and efficient use of the equipment.
Daily Checklist
The daily checklist is an important tool in any forklift maintenance program. These checklists would help to document any and all potential 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. Operators are required to complete the inspection from the beginning of their shift. If any major issues are found, the forklift could not be utilized until the problem has been fixed.
Maintenance and Safety Go Hand-in-Hand
Every year roughly 100 people are injured in forklift mishaps in the USA. Statistics show that roughly 20,000 individuals will be seriously injured because of a forklift accident. This number represents 54 people per day, 7 days a week, for the entire year. Many of these accidents could be easily prevented if the forklift had been correctly maintained and serviced. In some circumstances, it may seem like a cost savings to delay or skip regular maintenance, although, these savings would pale in comparison to the cost of one accident.
Things to be Serviced
In the owner's manual of each equipment, the manufacturer will include a maintenance schedule. These schedules will vary greatly, depending on the manufacturer and the type of machinery. Every schedule would contain a variety of basic items. Like for instance, in a combustion engine, the engine oil and the oil filter must be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels would need to be checked also. Be certain to check hoses for any indications of cracking. Additional items involve the brakes, the transmission and the electrical systems of the forklift.