Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Having a proper maintenance program for forklifts would help to increase the lifespan of the machinery and is also a critical factor to the safe use of the machinery. Completing forklift inspection regularly and doing preventive maintenance on a routine basis would help to ensure the safe and efficient use of the machine.
Daily Checklist
The daily checklist is an important tool in any forklift maintenance program. These checklists would help to document any and all possible problems. 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 are required 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 issue has been fixed.
Safety and Maintenance Go Hand-in-Hand
In the US, there are about 100 deaths related to forklift mishaps and statistic show that almost 20,000 individuals are seriously injured too. This number translates to represent 54 individuals a day, 7 days a week, for the whole year. A lot of these accidents could 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 regular maintenance, however, these savings would pale in comparison to the cost of one mishap.
Items to be Serviced
In the owner's instruction manual of every machine, the manufacturer will include a maintenance schedule. These schedules would vary greatly, depending on the manufacturer and the type of machinery. Every schedule would contain a variety of basic things. For example, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil would need to be replaced sometimes. Hydraulic levels should be checked as well. Be certain to check hoses for any signs of cracking. Additional items include the brakes, the transmission and the electrical systems of the forklift.