Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Having a proper maintenance program for forklifts would help to increase the lifespan of the machine and is also a vital factor to the safe operation of the machinery. Completing forklift check ups on a regular basis and performing preventive maintenance on a regular basis will help to ensure 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 possible 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 must complete the inspection from the beginning of their shift. If any major problems are found, the forklift could not be utilized until the problem has been fixed.
Safety and Maintenance Go Hand-in-Hand
Each year roughly 100 people are injured in forklift accidents within the United States. Statistics show that roughly 20,000 people will be injured seriously because of a forklift mishap. This number translates to represent 54 individuals per day, 7 days a week, for the entire year. A lot of these accidents could be prevented easily if the forklift had been correctly serviced and maintained. In some circumstances, it may seem like a cost savings to skip or delay regular maintenance, although, these savings would pale in comparison to the cost of one accident.
Things to be Serviced
In the owner's guidebook of every equipment, the manufacturer would include a maintenance schedule. These schedules would vary greatly, depending on the manufacturer and the type of machinery. Each schedule will contain a variety of basic things. For example, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil should be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels will need to be inspected too. Be certain to check hoses for any signs of cracking. Other things involve the electrical systems, the brakes and the transmission of the forklift.