Pre Shift Inspection Training

DAILY PRE-SHIFT INSPECTIONS

It is a WorkSafe requirment that a forklift is checked at the start of each shift. This a legal requirment that must be completed and correctly documented.

When you think about it, a forklift should be one of the safest MHE in use being checked at least once per day depending on your companies shifts patens and working environment. But sadly, this is not always the case with poor management practices, lack of staff training, compliancy and poor record keeping. 

So how important is a daily forklift inspection? When you operate a forklift, you are taking responsibility for machinery that has the potential to cause accidents, injury or even death if it is not maintained correctly and kept in a serviceable condition.

There are pre-operational and operational checks you can do before and after starting the forklift; that will only take a few minutes to ensure your safety, the safety of the people around you and the safety of your forklift.

Before Starting The Forklift

Before operating any forklift it is necessary to perform pre-operational checks to identify damage, prevent accidents and to ensure the forklift is safe to use. You might have multiple employees using a single forklift within your workplace, so it is important that you familiarise yourself with the new forklift or just ensure the forklift is up to scratch since the last use.

Visual checks:

• Tyres (check for wear, splitting and pressures)
• Condition of the lights and lenses
• Condition of the gauges
• Obvious signs of damage to the body and overhead guards
• Obvious signs of damage to the mast, lifting assembly and attachments
• Forklift tynes and backrest for cracks and fractures
• Hydraulic hose, unions, cylinders for leaks or damage
• Underneath the forklift for fuel or oil leaks

Physical checks:

• PG bottle for leaks and security
• Battery connections
• Security of the fitting of attachments
• Thickness and condition of the tynes

Check of liquid Levels:

• Hydraulic fluid
• Brake fluid
• Engine oil coolant
• Battery
• Fuel

Some important points you need to take extra care with are:

• Checking the data plate for capacities (safe working load)
• Load centre
• Mast full height (MFH)

After Starting The Forklift 

Once you have completed the initial check (Before Starting the Forklift) you’re not done just yet. It’s extremely important to go through a few safety tests when initially starting your forklift, as you would rather find out the faults and problems prior putting the forklift to use.

Ensure you check the:

• Hand brake
• Transmission – forward and reverse positive movement
• Brakes and inching pedal
• Full range of steering movement
• Lift control, tilt control and side shift if fitted
• Additional devices fitted
• Horn, flashing lights, headlamps, indicator, reversing lights and beeper
• Instruments are working correctly

If an operator finds a safety defect, the operator must notify a senior manager or supervisior immediatly. The keys must be removed and the equipment must be tagged out.

Removing a tagg out from defective equipment is an offence and could result in termination. 

We provide professional training for your staff and operators. We teach them how to inspect and identify defects and also how to correctly document their findings. 

If you are inspected by WorkSafe, they will require from you company correctly and accuratly completed documentation from all your materials handling equipment.