Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Having a proper maintenance program for forklifts would help to increase the lifespan of the machinery and is also a vital factor to the safe use of the machinery. Completing regular forklift check ups and performing preventive maintenance on a regular basis would help to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the machine.
Daily Checklist
In any forklift maintenance program, the daily checklist is an invaluable tool to have. These checklists will document any 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 need to complete the inspection from the start of their shift. If any major problems are found, the forklift can not be used until the problem has been fixed.
Safety and Maintenance Go Hand-in-Hand
Each year roughly 100 individuals are injured in forklift accidents in the United States. Statistics show that approximately 20,000 people will be injured seriously as a result of a forklift mishap. This number translates to represent 54 people per day, 7 days a week, for the whole year. A lot of these accidents could be prevented easily if the forklift had been properly serviced and maintained. In some circumstances, it might seem like a cost savings to delay or skip routine maintenance, although, these savings would pale in comparison to the cost of one mishap.
Items to be Serviced
The manufacturers owner manual would include a recommended maintenance schedule. Schedules would differ depending on every manufacturer and each type of forklift. Each schedule would consist of a variety of basic items. For instance, in a combustion engine, the engine oil and the oil filter must be replaced sometimes. Hydraulic levels would have to be checked too. Be sure to check hoses for any indications of cracking. Additional items include the brakes, the transmission and the electrical systems of the forklift.