Everyday Forklift Inspection Checklist

In order to keep your forklift working properly and in tip-top shape for many years to come, it is imperative you perform a daily inspection. Regardless of how good you are about getting your machine serviced, it is of the utmost importance that you don’t neglect it on a day-to-day basis. Unfortunately, workplace accidents involving forklifts are quite common, and many happen because of neglect or other machine issues. In order to prevent potentially dangerous workplace accidents – and save you money – make sure you are inspecting your forklift every morning before  you start the work day. While daily inspection of your forklift if not a requirement by law, it is one of the best ways you can ensure your machine is working properly and is not in need of service.

In addition to bringing your forklift in to be serviced on a regular basis and giving it a once over every single work day, it is also important that your staff are properly trained to operate the machine. One of the number one causes of forklift accidents and injuries is inadequate training. Anyone who operates a forklift is required to undergo a training certification process before they get behind the wheel. By ensuring your employees are properly trained and checking your forklift for any maintenance needs every single day, you will be setting yourself up for a safe and successful operation.

With all this in mind, let’s now go over some daily tips we’ve put together to help you know what to look for when giving your forklift a once-over before the work day gets going:

• Safety First – As we have discussed, safety is the number one priority when it comes to operating a forklift. This is why we encourage you to check your equipment every single day before you start working. Some of the essential safety items you should be checking include:
  • Check the seat belt, buckle, and all connectors – give them a good tug to make sure everything is working properly
  • Test your forklift’s backup alarm
  • Make sure the machine’s fire extinguisher is useable
  • Check the machine’s side-mounted mirrors and make sure you can see them from the operator’s seat
  • Check your machine’s emergency equipment – including the flashers, level tilt indicator, and parking brake
• Check the Battery – Depending on what type of forklift you have, it is important you are checking the battery every single day and ensuring it has enough life to get through the work day. Never let your forklift battery go below 20%. By getting your forklift regularly maintenanced, you will be on the right track to improving its battery life and saving you money in the long run. Some industry experts even say that proper care and maintenance of your forklift battery can increase the battery’s life by more than 40%.
• Check All Moving Parts – Making sure all the moving parts of your forklift are properly lubricated is a must. In the event those parts are stiff and have lost their lubrication, they can become static and friction may occur. Get in the habit of greasing your forklift each morning in order to prevent potential, costly problems.

In addition to the above, please remember to bring your forklift in to our Irving forklift sales and service shop for regular maintenance. In doing so you will be giving your forklift the care and attention it needs to serve as a reliable machine for you for many years to come.