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 function safely and effectively. Completing forklift check ups on a regular basis and performing preventive maintenance on a routine basis will help to guarantee the efficient and safe use of the machinery.
Daily Checklist
In any forklift maintenance program, the daily checklist is an invaluable 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. Drivers should complete the inspection from the start of their shift. If any major problems are found, the forklift could not be used until the issue has been fixed.
Maintenance and Safety Go Hand-in-Hand
Each year about 100 individuals are injured in forklift accidents in the USA. Statistics show that around 20,000 people will be injured seriously as a result of a forklift accident. This number translates to represent 54 people a day, 7 days a week, for the whole year. Many of these accidents can be easily prevented if the forklift had been correctly serviced and maintained. In several circumstances, it might seem like a cost savings to skip or delay routine maintenance, although, these savings would pale in comparison to the cost of one accident.
Items to be Serviced
The manufacturers owner guidebook would include a recommended maintenance schedule. Schedules would vary depending on every manufacturer and every type of forklift. Every schedule will contain a variety of basic items. Like for instance, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil should be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels should be checked also. Be sure to check hoses for any indications of cracking. Additional things involve the transmission, the electrical systems and the brakes of the forklift.