Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Forklifts require a proper maintenance program to help increase the equipments lifespan and is an important factor in allowing the equipment to run safely and effectively. Completing forklift inspection regularly and doing preventive maintenance on a regular basis would help to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the machine.
Daily Checklist
The daily checklist is an important tool in any forklift maintenance program. These checklists would help to document any and all possible issues. They are required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or the OSHA. The daily checklists can also be audited by OSHA during any routine inspection. Drivers have to complete the inspection from the start of their shift. If any major problems are found, the forklift is not to be put into service until the issue has been fixed.
Maintenance and Safety Go Hand-in-Hand
Each and every year around 100 individuals are injured in forklift accidents in the USA. Statistics show that about 20,000 people will be injured seriously as a result of a forklift mishap. This number translates to represent 54 people a day, 7 days a week, for the entire year. A lot of these mishaps can be prevented easily if the forklift had been correctly serviced and maintained. In some circumstances, it may seem like a cost savings to delay or skip regular maintenance, although, these savings would pale in comparison to the cost of a single accident.
Things to be Serviced
In the owner's manual of every equipment, the manufacturer will include a maintenance schedule. These schedules will vary greatly, depending on the manufacturer and the type of machinery. Every schedule would contain a variety of basic things. For instance, in a combustion engine, the engine oil and the oil filter should be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels should be inspected also. Be sure to inspect hoses for any signs of cracking. Additional items include the brakes, the transmission and the electrical systems of the forklift.