Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Having a proper maintenance program for forklifts will help to increase the lifespan of the machinery and is also a critical factor to the safe use of the machinery. Completing forklift check ups regularly and doing preventive maintenance regularly will help to guarantee the efficient and safe operation of the machinery.
Daily Checklist
In any forklift maintenance program, the daily checklist is an invaluable tool to have. These checklists would document any potential issues. 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. Drivers need to 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 problem has been fixed.
Safety and Maintenance Go Hand-in-Hand
Each and every year approximately 100 people are injured in forklift mishaps within the USA. Statistics show that about 20,000 people will be seriously injured as a result of a forklift accident. This number represents 54 people per day, 7 days a week, for the entire year. Many of these accidents could be prevented easily if the forklift had been properly serviced and maintained. In some circumstances, it might seem like a cost savings to skip or delay regular maintenance, however, these savings would pale in comparison to the cost of a single mishap.
Items to be Serviced
In the owner's handbook of every machine, the manufacturer would include a maintenance schedule. These schedules would differ greatly, depending on the manufacturer and the type of equipment. Every schedule would contain various basic things. For example, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil will need to be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels will have to be checked too. Be certain to inspect hoses for any signs of cracking. Additional items involve the electrical systems, the brakes and the transmission of the forklift.