Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Having a proper maintenance program for forklifts will help to increase the lifespan of the equipment and is also a critical factor to the safe use of the equipment. Completing regular forklift check ups and doing 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 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 could also be audited by OSHA during any routine inspection. Drivers are required to complete the inspection from the beginning of their shift. If any major issues are found, the forklift could not be used until the problem has been fixed.
Safety and Maintenance Go Hand-in-Hand
Every year around 100 individuals are injured in forklift mishaps within the United States. Statistics show that about 20,000 individuals will be seriously injured because of a forklift mishap. This number translates to represent 54 individuals a day, 7 days a week, for the entire year. Many of these accidents can be prevented easily if the forklift had been properly serviced and maintained. In some circumstances, it may seem like a cost savings to delay or skip routine maintenance, although, these savings would pale in comparison to the cost of one accident.
Things to be Serviced
The manufacturers owner instruction manual would include a recommended maintenance schedule. Schedules will differ depending on each and every manufacturer and each kind of forklift. Each schedule will consist of various basic things. For example, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil will have to be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels will need to be checked too. Be sure to inspect hoses for any signs of cracking. Other items include the transmission, the electrical systems and the brakes of the forklift.