Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Having a proper maintenance program for forklifts will help to increase the lifespan of the machine and is also a vital factor to the safe operation of the equipment. Completing regular forklift inspections and performing preventive maintenance on a regular basis would help to guarantee the efficient and safe use of the machine.
Daily Checklist
The daily checklist is an invaluable tool in any forklift maintenance program. These checklists would help to document any and all 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. Operators are required to complete the inspection from the beginning of their shift. If any major problems are found, the forklift can not be used until the problem has been fixed.
Maintenance and Safety Go Hand-in-Hand
Every year around 100 people are injured in forklift mishaps in the USA. Statistics show that approximately 20,000 individuals will be injured seriously because of a forklift mishap. This number represents 54 people per day, 7 days a week, for the entire year. Many of these accidents can be prevented easily if the forklift had been properly maintained and serviced. In several circumstances, it might seem like a cost savings to skip or delay regular maintenance, although, these savings will pale in comparison to the cost of one mishap.
Things to be Serviced
In the owner's instruction manual of each machinery, the manufacturer would include a maintenance schedule. These schedules will differ greatly, depending on the manufacturer and the type of machinery. Each schedule will consist of a variety of basic things. For instance, in a combustion engine, the engine oil and the oil filter will have to be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels will have to be checked as well. Be certain to inspect hoses for any signs of cracking. Other items include the transmission, the electrical systems and the brakes of the forklift.