Unless you’re superman, you’re not going to be lifting heavy pallets anytime soon. Enter the forklift. Forklifts are great tools for businesses that need them. But, they can also be very dangerous. Safety is the primary concern around these heavy machines, so understand when they need to be inspected and fixed. We’ve also added a handy infographic at the bottom of this post for quick viewing. Tip #1: Inspection After Collisions Let’s imagine that one of your employees is operating a forklift. He is doing a pretty good job, but suddenly he turns a corner and accidentally hits a safety bollard. What should he do now? Unfortunately, many employees don’t know, and most managers don’t want to interrupt the workday to constantly check up on employees to see if they’ve been in any accidents – regardless of how incidental they may be. Any collision warrants an inspection of the vehicle. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a thorough inspection, but someone needs to make sure that no hoses have been damaged, nothing is bent, and all critical systems are functioning normally. If the vehicle is involved in a serious collision, it must be taken out of commissioned and repair before it is put back into service. Tip #2: Normal Service Intervals Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule. Companies, like theliftingcompany.com.au , always recommend various service protocols for all types of light and heavy machinery. Some equipment will need fluids changed at regular intervals, while most equipment will require hoses, belts, and various lines to be serviced over time. Hydraulic equipment may have additional service requirements that require professional servicing. For example, after 100,000 miles, you may need extensive servicing of the hydraulics on the lift. Not servicing your forklift is inherently dangerous as faulty parts, levers, and safety […]