DC Velocity - NFSD 2019

NATIONAL FORKLIFT SAFETY DAY

replace, require special procedures, or involve complex electronic connections should be brought in and installed by the dealer.

With most manufacturers able to deliver commonly used parts to the customer overnight, getting a part quickly shouldn’t be a big concern, Nicolette says. But if a fleet with qualified technicians does want to stock parts on site, he and other experts recommend that they have dealers consign the inventory. There are several benefits to doing so, but one of the biggest is that it prevents technicians from placing old or obsolete parts back in inventory. “With consignments,” he says, “someone from the servicing dealer will periodically come in and review them to make sure they’re up to date for the forklift models you currently have.”

THE BIG PICTURE

As our conversations with forklift safety experts have
shown, rigorously following the maintenance protocols and,
when appropriate, adopting the other recommendations
in this article will pay off in a safer workplace. Looking
at it from a “big picture” standpoint reinforces why that
matters to everyone—operators, pedestrians, and their
employers too.

One reason why all companies should care about the impact of maintenance on safety is that losing the use of equipment because it’s unsafe reduces productivity, Kion’s Hasenstab says, adding that a thorough planned maintenance program will keep the machines operating safely and at peak performance. Most importantly, he warns, undetected maintenance issues are dangerous for people and property alike, potentially causing injuries to operators and pedestrians and leading to environmental problems such as spills and leaks.

Unfortunately, operators can become complacent about safety. “When forklifts are not properly maintained or inspected prior to use, the consequences can span a wide range, from ‘nothing happened’ to extremely significant property damage, injury, or even death,” Buckman says. If nothing happens, there’s a risk that operators will continue any bad habits they may have developed. Keeping the spotlight on the maintenance-safety connection, even when everything is working well, he says, will keep operators engaged while reducing risk for everybody. ;