Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Forklifts need 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 inspection on a regular basis and performing preventive maintenance on a regular basis will help to guarantee the efficient and safe use of the machinery.
Daily Checklist
The daily checklist is an invaluable tool in any forklift maintenance program. These checklists would help to document any and all possible problems. They are required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or the OSHA. The daily checklists could also be audited by OSHA during any routine inspection. Operators should 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 problem has been fixed.
Safety and Maintenance Go Hand-in-Hand
Each and every year around 100 people are injured in forklift accidents within the United States. Statistics show that about 20,000 people will be seriously injured 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 accidents could be prevented easily if the forklift had been correctly maintained and serviced. In some circumstances, it might seem like a cost savings to delay or skip regular maintenance, although, these savings will pale in comparison to the cost of a single accident.
Items to be Serviced
In the owner's handbook of each machine, the manufacturer will include a maintenance schedule. These schedules will differ greatly, depending on the manufacturer and the kind of equipment. Each schedule will contain a variety of basic things. For example, in a combustion engine, the engine oil and the oil filter must be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels would have to be inspected as well. Be sure to inspect hoses for any indications of cracking. Other things include the electrical systems, the brakes and the transmission of the forklift.