At West Coast Forklifts, our business longevity means we have decades of experience and knowledge when it comes to forklift operation, service, maintenance and repair. It also means we intimately understand the risks and dangers of our machines, which is why safe forklift practices underpin everything we do.
This includes our commitment to regular, proactive forklift servicing.
The best forklift for your business is one that is maintained at regular intervals, with minor issues noted and fixed before they can become the cause of a major breakdown – or worse – a potential safety incident.
Worn tyres, damaged tines, stretched chains, broken beepers, faulty lights and fluid leaks are some of the common issues that can easily be overlooked by the untrained eye, and yet can compromise the overall safety of the forklift.
A Forklift Safety Check, Not A Box Ticking Exercise
An oil and filter change is not a forklift service; it’s a box ticking exercise.
At West Coast Forklifts, we know that a true service also acts as a safety check, and requires an experienced eye backed by decades of industry knowledge.
It’s not just checking for damaged tines, it’s knowing if the damage requires replacement, or closer monitoring and adjustment to how the forklift is operated by staff.
It’s knowing whether the crack in a hose is in the hose itself, or just the outer casing – which can save a client money.
It’s also having the technical tools and expertise to carry out a forklift service – while at the same time providing education and insight on the dangers of using unrated or unsuitable tools such as car jacks.
Proactive Servicing Saves Time and Money – and Keeps Workers Safe
By committing to proactive, regularly scheduled forklift servicing, common, minor issues can be identified and rectified sooner, which ensures workplace safety is the priority.
Identifying an issue early can also potentially avoid a breakdown in the future.
We understand that a regular service is forced downtime for a business – which can be particularly frustrating during peak season. However, the advantage of a regular schedule is being able to factor this into staff planning and scheduling.
You can’t plan for an emergency breakdown. Such an event is not only potentially significantly more disruptive, but it can be costly too, with call out fees, last-minute parts and lost productivity quickly adding up.
Communication is Key
Of course, at the heart of any thorough forklift service and safety check, is clear communication.
This includes sharing our industry expertise with clients to explain our observations and recommendations, being able to act quickly on repairs, and calling out unsafe practices or forklift operation when we see it.
Forklifts are often underestimated in the workplace, not only in terms of how important a machine or fleet of machines is to the running of the business, but also the potential risk they can pose to workers if they’re not maintained regularly or operated correctly.
The reality is forklifts are heavy and often operate in tight spaces around people, and it’s vital the machine is in top condition at all times.
At West Coast Forklifts, we understand that when machines are respected, well-maintained and operated correctly, then safety is front of mind – and safety should always be the priority.
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