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 run effectively and safely. Completing regular forklift check ups and performing preventive maintenance regularly will help to ensure the efficient and safe use of the machine.
Daily Checklist
The daily checklist is an important tool in any forklift maintenance program. These checklists will help to document any and all 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. Drivers should complete the inspection from the start of their shift. If any major problems are found, the forklift can not be utilized until the problem has been fixed.
Safety and Maintenance Go Hand-in-Hand
Every year about 100 people are injured in forklift mishaps within the USA. Statistics show that about 20,000 people would be seriously injured as a result of a forklift mishap. This number translates to represent 54 individuals per day, 7 days a week, for the whole year. A lot of these accidents can be prevented easily if the forklift had been correctly maintained and serviced. In some circumstances, it might seem like a cost savings to delay or skip routine maintenance, although, these savings will pale in comparison to the cost of a single accident.
Things to be Serviced
The manufacturers owner instruction manual would include a recommended maintenance schedule. Schedules would vary depending on every manufacturer and each kind of forklift. Each schedule will contain various basic items. For example, in a combustion engine, the engine oil and the oil filter would have to be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels would have to be checked also. Be sure to inspect hoses for any indications of cracking. Additional things involve the brakes, the transmission and the electrical systems of the forklift.