Checking For Safety

The forklift pre-use checks are an important part of any operators daily routine. A competent operator is the best placed individual to identify any potential defects to the employer, enabling problems to be rectified before they become a danger to Health and Safety.

The procedure for checking a forklift for potential defects is covered during a candidates test process. A candidate is observed carrying out the pre-use check by an examiner and questioned on his ability to identify potential faults. The process is designed not only for accident prevention but can help the owner of the lift truck avoid expensive repair bills and Health and Safety investigations such as the one reported by the HSE here. In the reported instance the carriage bearings had failed: a fault that could have been identified during the operational checks.

This video is a truck that we encountered during training. The body of the truck is supposed to be mounted securely to the chassis!

The pre-use check procedure requires the operator to carry out a number of visual checks of the mast, together with all of its lifting components, the wheels and tyres before carrying out function tests of the mast, steering, drive and braking systems and the horn and lights.

A Counterbalance Check Sheet

The pre-use checks should be recorded on a daily check sheet. The training provider can normally provide these to suit your needs. It contains all of the elements that should be inspected on a daily or pre-use interval. The elements to be checked are defined by the manufacturer and industry standards.

The check sheet is a useful means of ensuring that no critical components are overlooked, faults are reported to the appropriate authority and that a record is kept to illustrate to the Health and Safety Executive that the relevant regulations are being complied with.

Always consider the importance of using an accredited company when choosing a training provider. The RTITB and ITSSAR accreditations held by Alba Forklift Training ensures that all operators are trained in the conduct of the pre-use checks.

Contact us if you would like a copy of our check sheet for any particular lift truck.