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 machine. Completing forklift inspection regularly and doing preventive maintenance regularly will help to ensure the efficient and safe use 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 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. Drivers should complete the inspection from the beginning 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 US, there are about one hundred deaths related to forklift accidents and statistic show that nearly 20,000 people are seriously injured too. This number translates to represent 54 people a day, 7 days a week, for the entire year. A lot of these mishaps could be easily prevented if the forklift had been correctly maintained and serviced. In some circumstances, it may seem like a cost savings to skip or delay regular maintenance, however, these savings would pale in comparison to the cost of one mishap.
Things to be Serviced
In the owner's manual of each machinery, the manufacturer would include a maintenance schedule. These schedules would vary greatly, depending on the manufacturer and the kind of machinery. Each schedule will consist of a variety of basic things. For instance, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil must be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels should be inspected too. Be sure to inspect hoses for any indications of cracking. Additional things include the transmission, the electrical systems and the brakes of the forklift.