Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Having a proper maintenance program for forklifts would 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 performing preventive maintenance regularly would help to guarantee the safe and efficient use of the equipment.
Daily Checklist
In any forklift maintenance program, the daily checklist is an important tool to have. These checklists will document any potential problems. They are required by the OSHA or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The daily checklists could also be audited by OSHA during any routine inspection. Operators must complete the inspection from the beginning of their shift. If any major issues 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 year about 100 people are injured in forklift accidents in the USA. Statistics show that about 20,000 people would be injured seriously as a result of a forklift accident. This number represents 54 individuals a day, 7 days a week, for the whole 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 routine maintenance, however, these savings will pale in comparison to the cost of one mishap.
Items to be Serviced
The manufacturers owner manual would include a recommended maintenance schedule. Schedules will differ depending on every manufacturer and each and every type of forklift. Every schedule will contain various basic items. For example, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil should be replaced sometimes. Hydraulic levels would need to be inspected also. Be sure to check hoses for any indications of cracking. Other items involve the transmission, the electrical systems and the brakes of the forklift.