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 machine. Completing regular forklift inspections and doing preventive maintenance regularly would help to guarantee the safe and efficient use of the equipment.
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 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 could not be used until the problem has been fixed.
Safety and Maintenance Go Hand-in-Hand
In the United States, there are roughly one hundred deaths related to forklift mishaps and statistic show that almost 20,000 people are seriously injured as well. This number represents 54 individuals a day, 7 days a week, for the whole year. Many of these mishaps could be prevented easily if the forklift had been correctly maintained and serviced. In some circumstances, it might seem like a cost savings to skip or delay routine maintenance, however, these savings would pale in comparison to the cost of one accident.
Items to be Serviced
In the owner's instruction manual of every equipment, the manufacturer will include a maintenance schedule. These schedules will vary greatly, depending on the manufacturer and the kind of machine. Every schedule would contain a variety of basic things. Like for instance, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil would have to be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels will have to be inspected also. Be sure to inspect hoses for any indications of cracking. Other things involve the brakes, the transmission and the electrical systems of the forklift.