Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Having a proper maintenance program for forklifts will help to increase the lifespan of the machinery and is also a vital factor to the safe operation of the equipment. Completing regular forklift check ups and doing preventive maintenance regularly will help to guarantee the safe and efficient operation of the equipment.
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 can also be audited by OSHA during any routine inspection. Drivers are required to complete the inspection from the start of their shift. If any major problems are found, the forklift is not to be put into service until the problem has been fixed.
Safety and Maintenance Go Hand-in-Hand
Each year roughly 100 individuals are injured in forklift mishaps within the USA. Statistics show that roughly 20,000 individuals would be injured seriously as a result of a forklift accident. This number translates to represent 54 individuals per day, 7 days a week, for the entire year. Many of these mishaps can be prevented easily if the forklift had been properly maintained and serviced. 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 mishap.
Things to be Serviced
The manufacturers owner instruction manual will include a recommended maintenance schedule. Schedules will differ depending on each manufacturer and each and every model of forklift. Each schedule will consist of a variety of basic items. Like for instance, in a combustion engine, the engine oil and the oil filter should be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels would have to be inspected as well. Be sure to inspect hoses for any signs of cracking. Other things involve the transmission, the electrical systems and the brakes of the forklift.