Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Forklifts require a proper maintenance program to help increase the equipments lifespan and is an essential factor in allowing the machinery to function safely and effectively. Completing regular forklift inspections and performing preventive maintenance on a regular basis will help to guarantee the safe and efficient use of the machine.
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 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 issues are found, the forklift can not be used until the problem has been fixed.
Maintenance and Safety Go Hand-in-Hand
Each year roughly 100 people are injured in forklift mishaps within the United States. Statistics show that about 20,000 individuals will be seriously injured because of a forklift mishap. This number represents 54 individuals per day, 7 days a week, for the entire year. Many of these mishaps 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 routine maintenance, however, these savings would pale in comparison to the cost of one accident.
Things to be Serviced
In the owner's handbook of every equipment, the manufacturer will include a maintenance schedule. These schedules will vary greatly, depending on the manufacturer and the kind of machinery. Each schedule would consist of a variety of basic items. Like for instance, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil should be replaced periodically. Hydraulic levels would have to be checked too. Be sure to check hoses for any signs of cracking. Additional items include the brakes, the transmission and the electrical systems of the forklift.