Forklift Safety: Harnessing the Potential of Digital Pre-Shift Inspections

Safety forklift operation encompasses a range of procedures that are vital both before and after utilizing these specifically built machines. By strictly adhering to safety protocols, the risk of a forklift accident can be significantly reduced, ultimately safeguarding not only the operator but also those in the vicinity. From conducting pre-shift checks and inspecting the forklift for any potential issues, every step must be taken to ensure that the equipment is in optimal working condition. But shortcuts are often taken. We know them, and experience them often with the quick pencil whipping, or ‘forgetting’ to conduct the inspection. By prioritizing safety forklift operation, facilities can build an environment that minimizes incidents and prioritizes the well-being of all individuals involved in safety forklift operation. This can be accomplished with a forklift safety system such as the S2 Digital Inspection with Impact Detection. Let’s take a closer look.

What are Safety Forklift Operation?

Safety forklift operation can include a wide variety of actions taken on a consistent basis in order to identify if and when a problem or an irregularity arises. Safety forklift operation can include, but not limited to operating the forklift according to the manufacturer’s instructions, wearing a seatbelt, proper use of the forks, maintaining safe distances and of course, watching for pedestrians.

Pre-Shift Forklift Operation

Pre-shift forklift operation is critical to the long term health and well being of the vehicle. It will also help to minimize downtime as well. But as we all know, if the pre-shift checklist isn’t completed and with care, your investment and ROI will be shortened. How can we ensure the proper completion of the pre-shift checklist for superior safety forklift operation?

Digital Pre-Shift Forklift Checklist

This process is to ensure that processes and procedures for OSHA compliance as well as your requirements are met. Let’s start with the log-in.

In order to officially login to the forklift safety system, the forklift operator will need to enter a PIN number that reflects their identity, or the system will read the QR code that can be placed on the operator’s badge. This first step in the process will ensure:

• That the driver is authorized to operate this particular lift truck
• Prohibit the driver from operating multiple lift trucks that the driver was not trained and certified on
• Ensure that the certification is current or active

If all this is completed and the driver is authorized, the first question for the pre-shift inspection will appear. Since this is digital, all the operator needs to do is press yes or no, or the thumbs up or down.

In the back of the Dashboard, you can edit your checklist. Add, edit or delete questions that you want or maybe don’t want. That’s up to you. However, what is vitally important is this: If you want to gain as much accuracy as possible with the answers given by the driver, then you can use a special feature which is called “randomize”. This feature allows you to choose one, two, three or all sections of the checklist and use the toggle to turn on the “randomize” feature. This will change the order of the questions that appear on the screen, ensuring the driver reads each question. This eliminates the pencil whipping that is common with operators. It also gives you better, more accurate answers that will help support the life of the lift trucks.

Impact Detection and the Dashboard

Impact detection gives you insights into who and where so you can better determine what occurred with a particular impact. You have three levels of impacts: Low, Medium and High. Because each facility and environment are unique, you get to choose the G-force associated with each level. All the results get recorded in the telemetry Dashboard and you can opt to get real-time notifications on one, two or all three levels of impacts. This type of forklift safety operation ensures that the operator is aware that these events get recorded and helps them to take better and greater care of the lift truck.

Get more details on the impact detection and telemetry Dashboard with a one-on-one with a SIERA.AI representative.

Contact Us!

Contact us today at sales@siera.ai or call us at (512) 817 0702.