Before starting each shift, what key steps should you take regarding equipment you will operate?

• A. Notify supervisor and then operate immediately.
• B. Inspect equipment for damage or leaks, check controls and safety devices, verify braking and lights, report defects, and ensure the machine is safe to operate.
• C. Read the manual and start without checks.
• D. Only check brakes, ignore leaks.

Answer: (C)

Before starting each shift, you must perform a thorough pre-shift inspection of the equipment you will operate. This means looking for any damage or leaks, testing the controls and safety devices, confirming that braking and lights are working, reporting any defects, and ensuring the machine is safe to operate. Doing these checks up front helps catch hazards before use, prevents breakdowns, ensures you have reliable stopping capability and visibility, and creates a record so maintenance can address issues promptly.

Relying on simply reading the manual or starting without any checks misses critical safety steps and leaves potential problems unseen. Focusing only on one part, like brakes, while ignoring leaks or other issues, also fails to provide a complete safety assurance.