Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Forklifts need a proper maintenance program to help increase the machine's lifespan and is an important factor in allowing the machine to function effectively and safely. Completing regular forklift inspections and doing preventive maintenance on a routine basis would help to guarantee the efficient and safe use of the machine.
Daily Checklist
In any forklift maintenance program, the daily checklist is an important tool to have. These checklists will document any possible 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. Operators are required to complete the inspection from the beginning of their shift. If any major problems are found, the forklift can not be used until the issue has been fixed.
Safety and Maintenance Go Hand-in-Hand
Every year approximately 100 people are injured in forklift accidents within the United States. Statistics show that about 20,000 individuals would be seriously injured because of a forklift accident. This number represents 54 people a day, 7 days a week, for the whole year. Many of these mishaps 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 routine maintenance, however, these savings will pale in comparison to the cost of a single mishap.
Things to be Serviced
The manufacturers owner instruction manual would include a recommended maintenance schedule. Schedules would vary depending on every manufacturer and every kind of forklift. Each schedule would consist of various basic items. Like for instance, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil would have to be replaced periodically. Hydraulic levels should be inspected as well. Be sure to inspect hoses for any signs of cracking. Additional things involve the brakes, the transmission and the electrical systems of the forklift.