Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Forklifts require a proper maintenance program to help increase the equipments lifespan and is an important factor in allowing the equipment to function safely and effectively. Completing forklift inspection on a regular basis and doing preventive maintenance on a regular basis will help to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the machinery.
Daily Checklist
The daily checklist is an invaluable 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 is not to be put into service until the issue has been fixed.
Safety and Maintenance Go Hand-in-Hand
Within the United States, there are roughly one hundred deaths related to forklift mishaps and statistic show that almost 20,000 individuals are seriously injured too. This number translates to represent 54 people per day, 7 days a week, for the entire year. A lot of these accidents could be prevented easily if the forklift had been correctly serviced and maintained. In several circumstances, it may seem like a cost savings to delay or skip routine maintenance, however, these savings would pale in comparison to the cost of a single accident.
Things to be Serviced
In the owner's handbook of every machinery, the manufacturer would include a maintenance schedule. These schedules will differ greatly, depending on the manufacturer and the type of machine. Each schedule would consist of a variety of basic items. For example, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil must be replaced periodically. Hydraulic levels must be checked as well. Be sure to inspect hoses for any signs of cracking. Additional items involve the brakes, the transmission and the electrical systems of the forklift.