Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Having a proper maintenance program for forklifts will help to increase the lifespan of the machine and is also a critical factor to the safe use of the equipment. Completing regular forklift inspections and doing preventive maintenance on a routine basis would help to guarantee the safe and efficient operation of the equipment.
Daily Checklist
The daily checklist is an important tool in any forklift maintenance program. These checklists would help to document any and all potential 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. Operators are required to complete the inspection from the beginning of their shift. If any major problems are found, the forklift could not be utilized until the problem has been fixed.
Maintenance and Safety Go Hand-in-Hand
Every year approximately 100 individuals are injured in forklift accidents in the USA. Statistics show that around 20,000 individuals will be injured seriously as a result of a forklift accident. This number translates to represent 54 individuals per day, 7 days a week, for the whole year. A lot of these accidents can be easily prevented if the forklift had been properly maintained and serviced. In some circumstances, it may seem like a cost savings to delay or skip routine maintenance, however, these savings will pale in comparison to the cost of one accident.
Items to be Serviced
In the owner's instruction manual of each machinery, the manufacturer would include a maintenance schedule. These schedules will differ greatly, depending on the manufacturer and the type of machine. Every schedule would contain various basic things. For instance, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil should be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels would need to be checked also. Be sure to inspect hoses for any indications of cracking. Other items include the brakes, the transmission and the electrical systems of the forklift.