Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Forklifts need a proper maintenance program to help increase the equipments lifespan and is an important factor in allowing the machinery to function safely and effectively. Completing regular forklift inspections and doing preventive maintenance on a routine basis would help to ensure the efficient and safe operation of the equipment.
Daily Checklist
The daily checklist is an important tool in any forklift maintenance program. These checklists will help to document any and all potential 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. Drivers have 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
Within the United States, there are roughly one hundred deaths related to forklift accidents and statistic show that almost 20,000 individuals are seriously injured as well. This number translates to represent 54 people a day, 7 days a week, for the entire year. A lot of these accidents can be easily prevented if the forklift had been correctly serviced and maintained. In several circumstances, it might seem like a cost savings to skip or delay regular maintenance, although, these savings would pale in comparison to the cost of a single mishap.
Things to be Serviced
In the owner's instruction manual of every machine, the manufacturer would include a maintenance schedule. These schedules would differ greatly, depending on the manufacturer and the kind of machine. Every schedule will contain various basic items. For example, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil must be replaced periodically. Hydraulic levels will have to be inspected too. Be sure to inspect hoses for any indications of cracking. Other things involve the electrical systems, the brakes and the transmission of the forklift.