Employer - Maintenance

In addition to providing the proper equipment and training to workers, employers must also manage the upkeep of all equipment provided. Pre-operational checks should be performed every day by supervisors or operators. It is also important to follow manufacturer's specifications regarding frequency of scheduled maintenance, including additional work at 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000 hours of work on a machine. If an issue is found during a check or while performing work, it is the responsibility of the employer to remove the truck from service immediately until the equipment can be evaluated. If the equipment can still be used with modifications to procedure, it is the employer's responsibility to communicate these stipulations to the workers. If continuing use is deemed unsafe, the employer must leave the truck out of service until adequate repairs can be made by a competent, qualified professional. Allowing use of faulty or damaged equipment could lead to serious or fatal injury.

To learn more about Forklift Safety visit our Canada Forklift Safety Online Training web page.