NATIONAL FORKLIFT
SAFETY DAY
down the truck. The Yale Vision telematics system, to
name just one example, lets users supplement standard
fault codes and “out of service” criteria set by the
manufacturer to include indicators that may be specific to
the operation.
One of the most widely used features of forklift telematics
is an electronic pre-operation checklist. These electronic
checklists can be programmed to randomly shift the
order of questions and to change the wording; this lack of
predictability keeps operators engaged and prevents them
from marking actions as completed without having read
them. If an operator fails on any critical items, the system
can lock the truck. Another benefit, says
Rosenberger, is that when there’s a safety
problem during a shift, the operator can
shut down the forklift and log out in the
telematics system so nobody else can use
the truck while the operator is waiting for
a technician to arrive.
Maintain rentals and used equipment
just like the rest of your fleet vehicles.
Rentals and used equipment provided by
OEM-authorized dealers will be properly
maintained and will meet safety standards.
But, although manufacturers don’t
recommend it, some end users choose
to rent or purchase used equipment from other sources
instead. In such cases, if the buyer does not have its
own certified factory-trained technicians, then it should
arrange right away for an authorized dealer to inspect
the truck to make sure it’s up to standards, says Tipton of
UniCarriers. That way, he says, “if any repairs are needed,
then a qualified, trained technician at the dealer can do
them before you use the truck.”
Nicolette agrees. “You’re taking everybody’s life in your
hands if you use the truck without having it inspected by
an authorized dealer first.” And, he adds, an operator’s
pre-shift inspection is not sufficient—a comprehensive,
planned maintenance inspection is required to verify that
the truck is safe to operate.
For rental equipment, Kion’s Hasenstab recommends
that end users make sure the rental contract contains
information about whether all applicable maintenance
has been performed. Matthews, meanwhile, strongly
advocates for a regimented “onboarding” process for
rented or borrowed equipment. This involves carefully
inspecting and documenting the forklift’s condition, and
then treating the truck exactly like the rest of your
fleet vehicles in regard to maintenance, repair, and
documentation. “You should view these trucks as an
integral part of your maintenance regime for the duration
of [their] stay in your environment,” he advises.
Use only OEM-approved replacement parts. The Internet
is awash in replacement forklift parts that are third-party
knockoffs. Their prices typically are lower than those of
forklift manufacturers’ approved parts, but in the long run,
they can end up creating costly safety problems.
First, there’s the matter of regulatory compliance. OSHA
safety regulation CFR 29, Subpart N, Section 1910.178,
Second, aftermarket parts often don’t
perform the same way as the OEMs’ own
versions, or they may not fit correctly,
which can create a host of safety hazards.
Bruns offers the example of drive tires.
There are lots of aftermarket versions for
sale online, but only a few tires—ones that
his company manufactures—meet safe
braking-distance requirements for Crown’s trucks, he says.
Using unapproved tires affects not only braking distance
and traction, but also the stability of the truck. “You can
always look to the OEM to have the safest parts,” he says.
“You should not just look for anything that seems to fit.”
Keep some basic replacement parts on hand—but
know when it’s best not to DIY. Maintaining some OEM-
approved replacement parts on site allows certain types
of repairs to be completed quickly, making it less likely, for
instance, that operators will continue to use a truck that’s
unsafe until a part comes in, Buckman says. However, he
and the other experts we spoke with are unified on this
point: An employer should keep replacement parts on
site and install them only if its own technicians have been
factory-trained to work on the specific lift trucks involved.
Even then, there are limits on what they can safely do.
Large end users that have their own fleet maintenance
team typically will keep certain replacement parts in
their own facilities, says UniCarriers’ Tipton. “This makes
sense for some basic standard parts like fan belts and
hoses for IC trucks that can safely be replaced right
away, and for what we call ‘wear items’ like starters and
batteries,” he explains. Most other types of parts and
components, including those that are complicated to
