Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Forklifts require a proper maintenance program to help increase the machine's lifespan and is an important factor in allowing the equipment to function effectively and safely. Completing regular forklift inspections and performing preventive maintenance on a routine basis would help to guarantee the efficient and safe operation of the equipment.
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 can also be audited by OSHA during any routine inspection. Operators are required to complete the inspection from the start of their shift. If any major issues are found, the forklift could not be utilized until the issue has been fixed.
Safety and Maintenance Go Hand-in-Hand
Within the US, there are about one hundred deaths related to forklift mishaps and statistic show that nearly 20,000 individuals are seriously injured as well. This number translates to represent 54 people per day, 7 days a week, for the entire year. A lot of these mishaps can be easily prevented if the forklift had been correctly maintained and serviced. In some circumstances, it may seem like a cost savings to delay or skip routine maintenance, however, these savings would pale in comparison to the cost of one mishap.
Things to be Serviced
In the owner's instruction manual of each and every machine, the manufacturer would include a maintenance schedule. These schedules would differ greatly, depending on the manufacturer and the type of machinery. Each schedule would contain various basic items. Like for example, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil should be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels must be checked as well. Be certain to inspect hoses for any signs of cracking. Other things include the brakes, the transmission and the electrical systems of the forklift.