Daily Checks for Your Forklift

 Routine and proactive maintenance is the way to make your machine handling equipment last. While the advanced technology and moving parts of your machinery add value to the workplace, they also can increase the likelihood that you'll experience problems. 

At Trupar America, we've put together the top daily checks you should make on your forklift equipment to stay ahead of any problems and ensure your equipment is safe to operate. 

Create a Daily Checklist

Provide employees with a physical checklist they can walk around with and use to check off each task they need to do. This works well for smaller companies providing employees with a guide so that nothing is forgotten.

If you have a larger organization, we recommend that you include completion and sign-off for each item. With either a sheet of paper or via a digital tablet, your employees should be required to check a box after each component is checked. This will help to ensure that all daily checks are completed, and no items are left behind. 

Build the Checklist with High-Priority Checks at the Top

Your daily checklist should have high-priority items at the top. These will be items that most likely require inspection and attention before operation. Items such as fuel levels, safety restraints, and battery conditions should be made a priority. 

Perform Spot Checks

Your preflight checklist should be completed every day. Keep in mind that this doesn't mean every employee will comply fully every day. This is where spot checks come in. Make sure you are conducting spot checks on a regualr basis to ensure each maintenance activity, and component is being examined and given the proper attention.

Prepare for Future Maintenance Concerns

While we typically focus on the active maintenance concerns, we also need to create a channel for future concerns. In some cases, a maintenance problem is not looming, but it should be documented so that it doesn't get overlooked. Set up a channel for reporting maintenance concerns that do not require immediate actions but will require attention in the future. 

Take Care of Reported Issues ASAP

Each daily check must occur with corresponding follow-up action. If an employee reports a dead battery or a wire malfunction, the forklift should be removed from your rotation and repaired right away. This will demonstrate to your employees that the safety checks are important and that when they properly report issues, they will be acknowledged and dealt with. 

Forklifts to Rent or Buy in Pittsburgh

Trupar America offers a wide selection of quality forklifts and top, name-brand machines to handle all of your material handling needs. Contact us today to learn more!