Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Having a proper maintenance program for forklifts will help to increase the lifespan of the equipment and is also a critical factor to the safe operation of the equipment. Completing regular forklift check ups and doing preventive maintenance on a routine basis will help to ensure the efficient and safe use of the equipment.
Daily Checklist
In any forklift maintenance program, the daily checklist is an invaluable tool to have. These checklists will document any potential issues. They are required by the OSHA or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The daily checklists can also be audited by OSHA during any routine inspection. Drivers should complete the inspection from the start of their shift. If any major issues are found, the forklift is not to be put into service until the problem has been fixed.
Safety and Maintenance Go Hand-in-Hand
Each year around 100 individuals are injured in forklift accidents within the USA. Statistics show that about 20,000 individuals would be injured seriously because of a forklift mishap. This number represents 54 individuals a day, 7 days a week, for the whole year. Many of these accidents could be prevented easily if the forklift had been properly maintained and serviced. In some circumstances, it might seem like a cost savings to skip or delay regular maintenance, however, these savings will pale in comparison to the cost of one accident.
Items to be Serviced
In the owner's handbook of each machine, the manufacturer would include a maintenance schedule. These schedules will vary greatly, depending on the manufacturer and the kind of machine. Each schedule will consist of a variety of basic items. Like for example, in a combustion engine, the engine oil and the oil filter would have to be replaced periodically. Hydraulic levels should be inspected too. Be sure to check hoses for any indications of cracking. Additional things involve the electrical systems, the brakes and the transmission of the forklift.