Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Forklifts require a proper maintenance program to help increase the machine's lifespan and is an essential factor in allowing the machine to function safely and effectively. Completing regular forklift inspections and doing preventive maintenance on a routine basis will help to guarantee the safe and efficient use of the machinery.
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 should complete the inspection from the beginning of their shift. If any major problems are found, the forklift can not be utilized until the issue has been fixed.
Safety and Maintenance Go Hand-in-Hand
In the US, there are around 100 deaths related to forklift accidents and statistic show that nearly 20,000 individuals are seriously injured as well. This number represents 54 people a day, 7 days a week, for the whole year. Many of these mishaps can be easily prevented if the forklift had been properly maintained and serviced. In some circumstances, it may seem like a cost savings to skip or delay routine maintenance, although, these savings will pale in comparison to the cost of one mishap.
Items to be Serviced
The manufacturers owner manual will include a recommended maintenance schedule. Schedules will vary depending on every manufacturer and every kind of forklift. Each schedule would contain a variety of basic things. For example, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil will have to be replaced sometimes. Hydraulic levels should be checked too. Be sure to inspect hoses for any indications of cracking. Additional items include the electrical systems, the brakes and the transmission of the forklift.