How Proper Forklift Maintenance Prevents Accidents and Injuries
Forklift accidents are usually associated with a careless act behind the wheel or ignoring certain safety precautions. While those epic forklift fails all over YouTube and other websites grab headlines, it’s the small, detail-oriented aspects of proper forklift use that can also cause serious accidents and injuries.
Take forklift maintenance, for example. According to the U.S Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), powered industrial truck (the official-sounding term for a forklift) infractions were once again a top-10 violation in 2017. Nearly 2,500 violations involving forklifts were documented last year – and many of those could’ve been prevented with a smart, focused, comprehensive maintenance plan.
You wouldn’t run your car without a thorough maintenance schedule – or at least you shouldn’t, anyway. To get the most miles out of your car – and to keep your automobile running as safely as possible – regular maintenance checks are required.
The same principle applies to forklifts. Common sense maintenance isn’t a luxury – for safe forklift operation, it’s a necessity.
Forklift Maintenance – An Underrated, Overlooked Aspect of a Safe Workplace
According to OSHA guidelines, forklift maintenance is one of the foundations of effective, efficient, safe workplace practices. OSHA’s maintenance requirements include compliance directives, maintenance plans, and general hazard references. Employers are required to perform sensible, sustainable maintenance of all powered industrial trucks.
Of course, it never hurts to have the training, skills, and knowledge to give yourself a comprehensive understanding of safe forklift operation – and that includes powered industrial truck maintenance.
Let’s look at a few ways proper maintenance can prevent workplace accidents.
- Underinflated tires. When forklift tires are worn or underinflated, accidents are more likely. From load imbalances to skidding across surfaces, it’s important to keep forklift tires properly inflated at all times – and that’s something regular maintenance checks take care of!
- Fluid levels. All forklift fluids – coolant, oil, hydraulic fluids – require regular attention. For example, low oil levels can cause engine failure, which can create numerous hazards in the warehouse, on a construction site, and many other places. Every forklift maintenance plan should have fluid checks – if it doesn’t, accidents are waiting to happen.
- Safety equipment checks. Flashing beacons, backup alarms, brake lights, and other safety-related mechanisms increase a forklift operator’s safety – and the safety of everyone around the lift. A routine pre-shift check of your forklift’s safety systems are a great idea.
- Uneven forks. After time, the lift’s forks may become slanted or uneven. If your forklift’s lifting mechanism isn’t level, there’s a good chance that load stability can be compromised. Make sure you regularly check the forks – when they’re uneven, accidents are more likely.
These are just a few things to check on your forklift. Remember, a thorough maintenance plan is essential for safe operation. If you’re not sure about your company’s maintenance schedule, always consult with your safety supervisor.
About the author
CertifyMe.net was founded in 1999 when Tom Wilkerson recognized a need for OSHA training when his contracting operations were impacted by new OSHA legislation. Rather than pay top dollar for training from a costly 3rd-party provider, Wilkerson created interactive computer learning solutions for his own company. Today, Wilkerson’s online and DVD-based training courses include some of the most popular, widely-used OSHA training courses available anywhere.