Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Having a proper maintenance program for forklifts would help to increase the lifespan of the equipment and is also a critical factor to the safe use of the machinery. Completing regular forklift inspections and performing preventive maintenance regularly would help to guarantee the safe and efficient operation of the machinery.
Daily Checklist
The daily checklist is an invaluable tool in any forklift maintenance program. These checklists would help to document any and all 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. Drivers should complete the inspection from the start of their shift. If any major problems are found, the forklift is not to be put into service until the problem 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 almost 20,000 individuals are seriously injured too. This number translates to represent 54 people per day, 7 days a week, for the entire year. Many of these accidents can be prevented easily if the forklift had been properly maintained and serviced. 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 one accident.
Things to be Serviced
In the owner's instruction manual of every machinery, the manufacturer would include a maintenance schedule. These schedules will vary greatly, depending on the manufacturer and the type of machine. Each schedule would consist of a variety of basic items. For example, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil must be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels would have to be inspected as well. Be sure to check hoses for any indications of cracking. Additional things involve the brakes, the transmission and the electrical systems of the forklift.