According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), approximately 100,000 industrial injuries are caused by forklifts each year. A third of these injuries are considered severe, resulting in employees’ inability to work.
Keeping your forklift in good working order is essential to prevent expensive repairs. It is necessary to implement and adhere to OSHA rules and industry best practices to operate a forklift safely.
Forklift operators and employers often ask us how often they should inspect the forklifts they use. The pre-operational check aids the operators in detecting problems in the equipment to keep the truck’s operational capabilities at their best.
Let’s now discuss how often a forklift operator should conduct an inspection.
How Often Does a Forklift Have to Be Inspected?
Heavy machinery requires professionalism and attention. Every operator must adhere to the OSHA federal mandates, even though each company has its own set of rules and expectations.
We are often asked about forklift inspections and the frequency with which they should be done.
OSHA makes it quite clear that no matter how a facility’s shifts are carried out, an inspection is always required.
- Facilities that are open 24/7 must be inspected before each shift begins.
- Businesses that operate within a typical business day need to have a daily or shift-by-shift inspection.
OSHA requires that forklifts be inspected at least once daily to ensure safe operating conditions. Forklifts that are used continuously must be inspected before and after every shift. It is OSHA’s 1910.178 (q) (7) standard for powered industrial trucks.
Why Is It Necessary to Perform Forklift Inspections Regularly?
Regular inspections are essential to ensure a safe and efficient operation. It helps you avoid procrastination while operating a forklift. Operators can spot potential problems before they become serious by inspecting forklifts daily or at the beginning of every shift.
We don’t have to wait until something goes wrong to deal with a significant issue; instead, we can address minor issues before they become major ones, thus averting potentially hazardous circumstances. Businesses can also require operators to inspect their forklifts at the beginning and end of each shift so that they aren’t dependent on them being exhausted to complete checklist duties.
You can send the forklift to be repaired or serviced. Forklift operators should report any potential problems or concerns to the supervisor as soon as possible to have the forklift tagged out. It will prevent a small problem from becoming a major one.
How to Conduct a Forklift Inspection?
Performing a pre-inspection visual and physical check is essential to conducting a regular forklift inspection. You will scan the machine for possible issues, like an aerial lift inspection.
During the visual and physical inspection, you check the condition of the following forklift parts:
- Forklift gauges
- Forklift backrest
- Lights and lenses
- LPG bottle for leaks
- Battery connections
- Tire pressure and inflation
- Forklift body undercarriage
- Forklift body and overhead guards
- Hydraulic hoses, couplings, and cylinders
- Forklifts mast, lift assembly, and attachments
- Forklifts liquid levels including hydraulic fluid, brake fluid, and coolant
Forklift operators may safely start the forklift after completing a pre-start forklift check. While the engine is operating, the operator should also do a functional examination.
Operational inspection can include checking the following parts and functions:
- Transmission
- Dashboard gauges
- Forklifts handbrake
- Range of steering movement
- Brakes and a squeezing pedal
- Forklifts lift, tilt, and side-shift controls
- All warning devices, such as lights, horns, and indicators, as well as safety systems
Is There a Need to Document the Forklift Inspection?
The OSHA-powered industrial truck 1910.178 standard does not require documented inspections. However, there are two reasons why this is a wise move.
Monitor Forklift’s General Condition – Inspection Checklist
You should conduct a forklift inspection to check the equipment’s general condition. Documenting its conditions means updating its maintenance record regularly. If a forklift operator is unaware of a situation requiring its removal from the operation, the results might be devastating.
Serve As Proof Of Forklift Inspection
When OSHA inspectors visit the workplace, you can present documentation proving that the operator inspected the forklift daily as per 1910. 178 (q) (7). Documentation is essential in the event of an accident due to a forklift malfunction or any related accident.
You can decide how long to keep forklift inspection records. Ensure that they can be retrieved anytime, especially during an OSHA workplace safety audit or maintenance check.
What to Do If Your Forklift Fails Daily Inspection?
Immediately address the situation. If you see a problem with any items on the checklist during your daily inspection, please report it to your manager. The forklift should not be used if the issue is not yet addressed. It just takes a few minutes for a malfunctioning forklift to endanger the safety of your facility’s personnel.
Any forklift deemed hazardous must be removed before it can be repaired or maintained correctly. Inspection records are required to keep track of its upkeep. When a forklift is involved in an accident, it is essential to have this paperwork to prove that the forklift has been appropriately maintained.
How Often Should the Forklift’s Fire Extinguisher Be Inspected?
Under OSHA regulations, fire extinguishers on forklifts are not necessary. The 1910.157 (e) standard, which requires monthly visual inspections and a yearly maintenance check for portable fire extinguishers, would apply if they were installed.
Conclusion
Accidents involving forklifts may occur at any time of day or night. The forklift should be inspected daily or per shift by the operator. It is a good habit for an employer to retain a record of these inspections for future reference.
OSHA might investigate and review the records at the location. They will request that you give them the forklift’s maintenance and inspection records. You may be held accountable if you do not adhere to the rules.
We were able to find an answer to your inquiry on how frequently forklift operators should perform inspections. Do not hesitate to contact Watts Equipment Co., Inc. if you have more questions or concerns. We would be delighted to address your problems and provide the most effective solutions.
