Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Having a proper maintenance program for forklifts will help to increase the lifespan of the equipment and is also a vital factor to the safe operation of the equipment. Completing forklift check ups on a regular basis and doing preventive maintenance regularly would help to ensure the safe and efficient operation 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 issues. 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. Drivers need to complete the inspection from the start of their shift. If any major problems are found, the forklift can not be utilized until the problem has been fixed.
Maintenance and Safety Go Hand-in-Hand
Each and every year about 100 people are injured in forklift mishaps within the United States. Statistics show that approximately 20,000 people will be injured seriously because of a forklift accident. This number represents 54 people per day, 7 days a week, for the whole year. A lot of these accidents can be prevented easily if the forklift had been correctly maintained and serviced. In some 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.
Items to be Serviced
The manufacturers owner guidebook would include a recommended maintenance schedule. Schedules will differ depending on each manufacturer and each and every kind of forklift. Each schedule would contain a variety of basic things. For instance, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil must be replaced periodically. Hydraulic levels must be inspected also. Be sure to inspect hoses for any signs of cracking. Additional items involve the brakes, the transmission and the electrical systems of the forklift.