MHE Maintenance Routines and Safety Points for Warehouse Operations
The following lists are generic. In practice, each piece of MHE, especially powered MHE, would come with technical checklists produced by the manufacturer or leasing company. These would be specific to the model of the MHE, rather than general. Manufacturer’s checklists would be used in conjunction with the warehouse’s own MHE Health and Safety checklists.
(In the MHE maintenance routines described below, the Health and Safety points are highlighted.)
(i) Daily (pre-shift) – performed by driver/operator or shift manager:
Check logbook to see the previous operator’s comments if any; address problems and incidents identified in the log book; conduct visual checks – looking for leaks, obvious damage to exterior and interior; check controls– steering, levers, switches; check indicators – lights, horns, alarms; check lubricants, charge levels, and pressures; check warning lights/error messages; conduct basic motion checks – observing responsiveness to control, movement in all directions, and operability of all mechanisms, especially brakes; ensure first aid kits are present and fit-for-use in all areas of MHE operation; check operator/driver PPE.
(ii) Monthly – performed by inhouse or manufacturer’s/leasing company’s technician:
Review the logbook – matching problems and incidents logged to actions taken; review the previous month’s technical inspection record; inspection by qualified technician of power supply, drive system, motor-chain mechanism, pneumatics, forks and other lifting parts; check ranges of motion of all moving parts; check performance against manufacturer’s specifications; produce inspection report; file inspection report; check with operators about performance concerns; review accident prevention policies and practices with drivers/operators; test drivers/operators on randomly selected safety knowledge; test driver’s/operator’s performance of a randomly selected safety procedure.
(iii) Six-monthly – performed by manufacturer’s/leasing company’s technician with managers and operators/drivers involvement:
Review the logbook and monthly inspection check records; strip-down check, repair, or replace any parts not performing to manufacturer’s specification; check that relevant manuals and other documentation are present and current; replace faulty or worn parts, or replace entire MHE if necessary or contracted to do so; check drivers’/operators’ licenses and training record currency; instruct drivers on any new Health and Safety or recommended technical procedures or best practice; train driver’s/operators if necessary; report results of technical checks to customer; review suitability of PPE, upgrade or change as necessary; consult with customer regarding satisfaction with lease; review contract, obtain customer sign-off post-check; collect and file any diagnostic or technical data produced, and feed this back to the engineering development team; conduct, observe, and assess (test) drivers/operators on relevant Health and Safety practices and safe MHE operations; provide feedback to drivers/operators and give management a report of their performance; issue a fit-for-use notice for MHE and permission to operate statements to drivers; update management on any relevant changes, and schedule the next six-monthly visit.