OSHA Forklift Safety Tips 101: Inspections
Every year there are approximately 35,000 serious injuries and 62,000 non-serious injuries involving forklifts, per OSHA.
Chances are, if these forklifts were properly inspected before being used, these injuries wouldn’t even happen.
Forklifts must be examined at least daily before being placed in service. Any forklift used on a round-the-clock basis needs to be inspected before each shift, as well, per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178(g)(7), f.
Before starting a forklift, it’s critically important to perform two inspections: pre-operation and operational inspections.
If you’re the forklift operator, it’s your responsibility to conduct a pre-start visual check with the key off and then perform an operational check with the engine running. If the forklift is not in safe operating mode, it should be placed in service.
Please note, if the vehicle requires repair, defective, or in any way unsafe, it should not be driven, and it will need to be taken out of service and reported to your supervisor immediately.
OSHA pre-operation inspections include a variety of these items, including but not limited to:
Additionally, all items should be checked depending on the forklift type – electric or internal combustion, including liquid propane. And always wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) during an inspection. When inspecting and checking liquid propane tanks and fittings, wear PPE such as face shields, long sleeves, and gauntlet gloves.
After you’ve completed the pre-operational inspection, forklift operators should conduct an operational inspection with the engine running to include these items to inspect:
These inspections might seem a bit much, but the reality is that there are no shortcuts when it comes to safety. Operators are urged to inspect forklifts before each job to keep themselves and others safe.
Providing workers with proper direction, such as required OSHA forklift inspections, will prevent painful - and costly accidents.
Lockout Tagout
Lockout tagout is a safety procedure that ensures machines and equipment are properly shut off during maintenance or repair work.
Shop premium-grade lockout tagout locks, kits, devices, and supplies. Make OSHA compliance a priority and have a safe and secure workplace.