Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Having a proper maintenance program for forklifts would help to increase the lifespan of the machine and is also a critical factor to the safe operation of the machine. Completing forklift check ups on a regular basis and performing preventive maintenance on a routine basis would help to ensure the efficient and safe use of the machine.
Daily Checklist
In any forklift maintenance program, the daily checklist is an invaluable tool to have. These checklists will document any possible issues. They are required by the OSHA or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The daily checklists can also be audited by OSHA during any routine inspection. Operators need to complete the inspection from the start of their shift. If any major issues are found, the forklift could not be used until the problem has been fixed.
Maintenance and Safety Go Hand-in-Hand
Each and every year around 100 individuals are injured in forklift accidents in the USA. Statistics show that roughly 20,000 individuals would be injured seriously as a result of a forklift accident. This number represents 54 individuals per day, 7 days a week, for the entire year. Many of these mishaps could be easily prevented if the forklift had been correctly serviced and maintained. In some circumstances, it may seem like a cost savings to skip or delay routine maintenance, however, these savings would pale in comparison to the cost of one accident.
Items to be Serviced
In the owner's instruction manual of each and every machine, the manufacturer will include a maintenance schedule. These schedules will vary greatly, depending on the manufacturer and the type of machinery. Every schedule will contain various basic things. For example, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil must be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels will have to be checked too. Be sure to check hoses for any indications of cracking. Additional things involve the transmission, the electrical systems and the brakes of the forklift.