Mechanical failure is a common contributor to forklift accidents in the workplace and one that can create both unsafe and unproductive situations for you and your employees. Worn or damaged tires, brakes, or lines can be extremely hazardous, and it’s essential to have the right checklist in place to ensure that your machinery can be operated safely and without the risk of a breakdown.
Daily pre-shift inspections are required by OSHA and can protect both you and your employees from unforeseen incidents by ensuring that forklift equipment and other powered industrial trucks are functioning correctly — but while this can prevent costly mistakes from occurring, implementing a forklift operator daily checklist within your business adds an additional layer of protection and ensures that everyone is on the same page.
OSHA requires that all industrial trucks are examined before use, and mandates that forklifts not be used if an inspection reveals any issues that could affect the safe operation of the vehicle, but that they are reported immediately to be remediated by qualified mechanics. Forklift pre-use inspections should be conducted daily at a minimum, or between shifts if it is in use around the clock. While OSHA provides sample forklift safety checklist templates, the organization advices operators refer to the specifications and manufacturer’s recommendations.
In warehouse settings, anyone who has been given the authorization and training required to safely operate forklift equipment can utilize this checklist to ensure that all necessary checks have been completed prior to use. Items such as brakes, tires, and electric or gas/LP components are included on the checklist to prevent any injuries or accidents from occurring while tasks are being completed. These inspections ensure that each employee is held accountable for completing the checklist.
Even with the most stringent precautions in place, forklift accidents do still occur, unfortunately. With a mobile forklift operator’s daily checklist, incidents that arise with a forklift can be fully documented within the app. Photos, descriptions, and witness details can be attached to reports to cover the full scope of the incident and provide a detailed account to your health and safety personnel, OSHA, or other parties. No paper means no missing details and better protection for your company.
A forklift operator daily checklist application eliminates insufficient inspections, incomplete data, and lost forms, and provides operators with a clear procedure to follow before using their equipment. Through mobile collection, checklist information is logged in the cloud where managers and supervisors can access data for each forklift easily and review inspection details for compliance.
