Forklift voluntary inspections

What are the three types of forklift voluntary inspections? Which tests are carried out by qualified personnel?

A forklift truck that can turn around easily and is convenient for loading and unloading luggage.
Many companies will find it useful.
However, if a forklift truck causes an accident, it is likely to cause serious damage.
Therefore, forklifts are stipulated by law to undergo regular self-checks.
So, let's talk about the voluntary inspection of forklift trucks this time.
What is the difference between what a qualified people must do and what an unqualified person can do?
In addition, we will also show you how to perform inspection efficiently.
If you use a forklift on a daily basis, please read this article.

Table of Contents

1. What is a forklift voluntary inspection?
2. What types of voluntary inspections are stipulated by the Industrial Safety and Health Act?
3. What is the qualification for performing specific voluntary inspections?
4. What are the benefits of conducting a self-inspection?
5. How to efficiently inspect a forklift?
6. conclusion

1. What is a forklift voluntary inspection?

A forklift is a type of cargo handling vehicle with a pawl on the front of the car.
Many companies find it useful because they can turn around quickly and can easily lift and lower heavy items.
Also, forklifts with a maximum payload of less than 1 ton can be operated by the operator after "special education".
Therefore, if you are on a private land, you can drive without a regular car license.
However, cargo-handling vehicles, such as forklifts, are more likely to have an accident than ordinary vehicles.
Also, unlike other cargo-handling vehicles such as trucks, you are not required to undergo a vehicle inspection.
Instead, a regular "voluntary inspection" is necessary.
This is stipulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Law, and if you violate it, you will be fined.

2. What types of voluntary inspections are stipulated by the Industrial Safety and Health Act?

There are three types of forklift self-inspection.
In this section, we will explain the types of forklift self-inspection.

2-1. Specific voluntary inspection (annual inspection)

It is a voluntary inspection that is obligatory once a year.
This must be done by a qualified person or operator.
Inspect every corner of the forklift as you would a vehicle inspection.
If the number of vehicles is large, it may not be possible to finish in one day, so some companies will prepare a substitute vehicle.
Also, you will receive a mark when the inspection is completed successfully.
Let's stick it on the forklift.

2-2. Regular voluntary inspection (monthly inspection)

Companies that use forklifts on a daily basis must perform a voluntary inspection once a month.
The inspection items are

Abnormality of braking device, clutch, and control device

Presence or absence of abnormality in cargo handling equipment and hydraulic

Abnormality of head guard and backrest

There are three.
This inspection can be performed even if you are not a qualified person.
If you find any abnormality, send it to us immediately.

2-3. Start of work before inspection

This is an inspection performed every day before starting work.
Forklifts carry heavy luggage every day.
Therefore, it may deteriorate rapidly depending on usage conditions.
If the forklift breaks or loses control during use, it will cause a serious accident.
Before using each morning

Functions of braking device and control device

Functions of cargo handling equipment and hydraulic equipment

Whether the wheel is abnormal

Functions of headlights / backlights / direction indicators and alarm devices

Let's check.
If you find any abnormality, do not use the product and request a repair company to inspect it again.

3. What is the qualification for performing specific voluntary inspections?

Specified voluntary inspections must be requested to a specialized contractor or must be performed by a qualified person who is an “in-business inspector”.
This qualification can be obtained by taking the training sponsored by the Public Interest Incorporated Association / Construction Handling Vehicle Safety Technology Association.
If you only need to self-inspect the forklift, you should have 5.5 hours of training.
If you want to save even a little on the cost of the inspection, you can ask an employee to qualify and perform the inspection at the office.
However, if an abnormality is found, it must be sent to a dealer for repair.
Some companies that carry out specific voluntary inspections also offer plans that include inspection costs and vehicle charges.
Therefore, if the forklift is used frequently and the deterioration of the forklift is quick, it may be better to ask the dealer to inspect and repair it.

Four. What are the benefits of conducting a self-inspection?

This section introduces the merits of performing a self-inspection.

4-1. Prevent accidents

This is probably the biggest advantage of conducting a self-inspection.
The forklift is exposed to the driver.
Therefore, if the forklift hits somewhere, it will be thrown out, and if you fall it will be easily injured.
In addition, the forklift lifts and lowers heavy loads on the pawl.
At that time, even if you lose your balance and fall, or your nails are broken, a serious accident will occur.
A thorough self-inspection can prevent such accidents.
In particular, the deterioration of each part will often not be noticed even during operation.

4-2. Forklift life extended

Forklifts also have a life.
If it is used frequently, it will tend to have a shorter life.
However, forklift trucks can last a long time if they are properly inspected and maintained.
Forklifts are expensive, so many people think that they want to use them for as long as possible.
Although daily inspections are tedious, think that frequent inspections will extend the life of your forklift.

Five. How to efficiently inspect a forklift?

Depending on the office, it may be too busy to check the forklift every morning.
However, if you skip the inspection of the forklift because you are busy, accidents are more likely to occur.
But at a business that uses dozens of forklifts, the inspection may take some time.
Therefore, let's use the check sheet for efficient inspection of the forklift.
If you use this, you can see the inspection contents at a glance, and you can easily check after the inspection.
There are many sites that distribute check sheets, so if you want one, search for "forklift checklist".
It should hit right away.
In addition, it may get used to the inspection every day, and the check may be inaccurate.
Therefore, it's good to use the duty system instead of having the same person check each time.
B may discover an abnormality that A missed.
In addition, it is very convenient for business establishments that use many forklift trucks to have a qualified in-house inspector.

6. in conclusion

This time, I explained about the voluntary inspection of forklifts.
Summary

Forklifts are stipulated by the Industrial Safety and Health Act to undergo regular self-inspection.

In the case of specific voluntary inspection, qualified person or qualified operator must inspect

Voluntary inspections performed monthly or daily can be performed by unqualified personnel.

Without a voluntary inspection, you will be fined 

Voluntary inspections prevent accidents and extend the life of forklifts

about it.
The forklift is a small but well-made vehicle.
If you use it loosely and neglect maintenance, it will lead to a big accident.
In the event of an accident, the Labor Standards Bureau will be inspected.
If the forklift is found to be defective, the business owner will be penalized.
If you use a forklift every day, it's easy to feel like you don't have to check for a day.
However, it will be too late to regret after the accident.
If you inspect it every day, it's easy to find abnormalities.