Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Forklifts require a proper maintenance program to help increase the equipments lifespan and is an essential factor in allowing the machine to run safely and effectively. Completing forklift check ups regularly and doing preventive maintenance on a regular basis would 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 would document any possible problems. 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. Operators are required to 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 issue has been fixed.
Maintenance and Safety Go Hand-in-Hand
Each and every year approximately 100 individuals are injured in forklift accidents within the USA. Statistics show that approximately 20,000 people would be seriously injured because of a forklift accident. This number represents 54 individuals a day, 7 days a week, for the whole year. A lot of these accidents can be easily prevented if the forklift had been correctly serviced and maintained. In some circumstances, it might seem like a cost savings to delay or skip routine maintenance, although, these savings will pale in comparison to the cost of one accident.
Things to be Serviced
In the owner's guidebook of each and every equipment, the manufacturer would include a maintenance schedule. These schedules will vary greatly, depending on the manufacturer and the type of machine. Each schedule will consist of various basic items. Like for example, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil should be replaced periodically. Hydraulic levels must be inspected also. Be sure to check hoses for any signs of cracking. Other items involve the brakes, the transmission and the electrical systems of the forklift.