FORKLIFT INSPECTIONS
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires forklifts and other powered industrial trucks to be inspected either daily or, in the case of round-the-clock use, before each shift (29 CFR 1910.178). Should any issues be found in this inspection, it must be reported and that piece of equipment must be removed from service. Visit osha.gov to learn more about these requirements or click here to download our sample daily checklists.
- Electric Forklift Daily Pre-Operation Checklist
- Engine Powered Forklift Daily Pre-Operation Checklist
While daily operator inspections can detect equipment issues, regular inspections by certified technicians can help identify defects before they become problems and prevent costly disruptions to your operations.
AERIAL LIFT INSPECTIONS
Both OSHA and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) have rules regarding the inspection and maintenance of aerial lifts, also known as Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWP). While OSHA is the regulatory body that can make and enforce rules regarding equipment safety, ANSI develops industry standards and guidelines regarding equipment design, operation and safety. Because OSHA often adopts and references these rules, they should be treated as law.
So, what do OSHA and ANSI have to say about aerial lift inspections?
Like forklifts, they require aerial work platforms (AWPs) and mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) receive a thorough inspection prior to each use. ANSI, in conjunction with the Scaffold Access Industry Association (SAIA), also requires an inspection conducted by a licensed aerial lift technician every 3 months or 150 operation hours (whichever comes first), as well as an annual inspection to be completed no later than 13 months after its last inspection
CRANE & HOIST INSPECTIONS
To prevent workplace accidents, OSHA, the Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) all recommend that cranes are regularly inspected and maintained. In addition to inspecting equipment before each use, OSHA standard 1910.179 prescribes frequent and periodic inspections performed by a qualified crane inspector.
Frequent inspections occur daily or monthly and cover crane function, performance and wear, as well as the condition of hooks, hoists and below-the hook attachments.
Periodic inspections occur at regular monthly intervals throughout the year and cover parts that may require disassembly to examine. In these, inspectors look for wear and function of tires, brake and clutch systems, chain drive sprockets, electrical components like limit switches, push-button stations and controller contractors, bearings, rivets and more.
PALLET RACK & STORAGE INSPECTIONS
In North America, law stipulates that it is the responsibility of a company’s management to provide a safe workplace to employees. Pallet rack systems can pose a major risk of injury to workers and serious liability to employers if not inspected for deficiencies, damage or missing pieces.
Inspections should be conducted at regular intervals based on your warehouse activities. Whether conducted monthly, quarterly or annually, our pallet rack inspection services will provide an audit, followed by a detailed report and recommendation to improve the overall safety of your pallet rack system.
Examples of when pallet rack inspections are particularly important include:
- When a forklift collision has occurred with the pallet rack
- To confirm a new storage system was correctly installed
- After acquiring a building with an existing storage system
- When launching a corporate safety initiative
- During a corporate or regulatory safety audit
- To ensure proper performance after a rack repair
GENERATOR INSPECTIONS
While each manufacturer has its own inspection guidelines, regular inspections by trained professionals help minimize downtime and extend the life of your generator or standby power system.
Some things that regular inspections look at, include:
- Engine oil levels and leaks
- Coolant levels and leaks
- Diesel fuel levels and leaks (if applicable)
- Belt condition
- Overall condition inside and outside
- Environmental factors like water leaks, snow intrusion or rodent infestation
In addition to an inspection, we offer Load Bank Testing, in which a heavy electrical load is applied to your generator to verify the proper operation of cooling systems, voltage regulation, fuel systems and more. Click here to learn more about our Load Bank Testing process.