Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Having a proper maintenance program for forklifts will help to increase the lifespan of the machinery and is also a vital factor to the safe operation of the equipment. Completing regular forklift inspections and performing preventive maintenance regularly will help to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the machine.
Daily Checklist
In any forklift maintenance program, the daily checklist is an important tool to have. These checklists will document any possible 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 start 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
In the United States, there are about 100 deaths related to forklift accidents and statistic show that nearly 20,000 people are seriously injured too. This number represents 54 individuals per day, 7 days a week, for the whole year. A lot of these accidents can be easily prevented if the forklift had been properly serviced and maintained. In some circumstances, it may seem like a cost savings to skip or delay regular maintenance, however, these savings will pale in comparison to the cost of a single accident.
Items to be Serviced
In the owner's instruction manual of each equipment, the manufacturer would include a maintenance schedule. These schedules will differ greatly, depending on the manufacturer and the kind of machine. Every schedule will consist of various basic things. For example, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil should be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels should be inspected too. Be sure to inspect hoses for any indications of cracking. Other things involve the brakes, the transmission and the electrical systems of the forklift.