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 run safely and effectively. Completing forklift inspection regularly and performing preventive maintenance on a regular basis will help to guarantee the efficient and safe operation of the machinery.
Daily Checklist
The daily checklist is an invaluable tool in any forklift maintenance program. These checklists would help to document any and all possible problems. 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 need to complete the inspection from the start 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 about one hundred deaths related to forklift mishaps and statistic show that almost 20,000 individuals are seriously injured as well. This number represents 54 individuals a day, 7 days a week, for the whole year. A lot of these accidents could be easily prevented if the forklift had been properly maintained and serviced. In several circumstances, it may seem like a cost savings to delay or skip regular maintenance, although, these savings will pale in comparison to the cost of one mishap.
Things to be Serviced
The manufacturers owner instruction manual would include a recommended maintenance schedule. Schedules will vary depending on every manufacturer and every type of forklift. Each schedule will contain various basic items. Like for instance, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil must be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels should be checked too. Be sure to inspect hoses for any indications of cracking. Other things include the brakes, the transmission and the electrical systems of the forklift.