Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Forklifts need a proper maintenance program to help increase the machine's lifespan and is an important factor in allowing the machinery to function safely and effectively. Completing forklift check ups regularly and doing preventive maintenance on a regular basis would help to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the machinery.
Daily Checklist
In any forklift maintenance program, the daily checklist is an important tool to have. These checklists would document any possible problems. They are required by the OSHA or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The daily checklists can also be audited by OSHA during any routine inspection. Operators need 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 problem has been fixed.
Maintenance and Safety Go Hand-in-Hand
Each year approximately 100 people are injured in forklift mishaps in the USA. Statistics show that approximately 20,000 people would be seriously injured because of a forklift accident. This number translates to represent 54 people a day, 7 days a week, for the entire year. A lot of these mishaps can be prevented easily if the forklift had been correctly maintained and serviced. In several circumstances, it might seem like a cost savings to skip or delay regular maintenance, however, these savings will pale in comparison to the cost of one mishap.
Items to be Serviced
The manufacturers owner instruction manual will include a recommended maintenance schedule. Schedules will differ depending on each and every manufacturer and each kind of forklift. Every schedule would consist of a variety of basic items. For instance, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil must be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels should be inspected as well. Be certain to check hoses for any signs of cracking. Additional things include the brakes, the transmission and the electrical systems of the forklift.