Ava Whether you are in charge of your own fleet or receiving delivery from a plant hire company, inspections are essential to ensure that machines don’t break down, create costly delays or result in any on-site accidents. Performing in-depth checks of the machines surface and how their equipment functions will be the best for making sure everyone on-site is completely safe when hiring the machinery.
Keeping the construction site safe will make workers more productive, as they trust the equipment and will be confident that nothing will go wrong. This guide will explore what needs to be inspected before taking equipment to the construction site.
What to Check For When Hiring Construction Machinery
Structural Integrity
When you conduct checks on construction equipment, you need to ensure that the machine looks of good quality. Take a close look at the chassis, booms and structural frames for any signs of cracks or missing components. The welds and stress points can be giveaways to see if the structural integrity is up to scratch. Ensure all safety decals, load charts, operating instructions and warning labels are present and correctly attached to the machines to ensure it’s safe to use.
Engine Health
The engine needs to be running properly for the machine to work well. Make sure to inspect the air and fuel filters, so they prevent overheating and costly engine damage that can lead to machinery malfunctioning. This can be detrimental for some types of machinery, so you need to make sure that the company you hire from conducts the appropriate checks. Chippindale Plant are rated highly for their engine health checks, as they assign a field engineer to keep the equipment in good shape.
Safety Systems
Safety systems are the most crucial part of any pre-operation inspection, representing non-negotiable checks that directly impact the operator and surrounding personnel safety. This requires a full functional test of all protective features, including confirming the immediate and effective response of the braking systems. Telehandler hire needs to be checked properly for this, as working at heights can always be dangerous without the right safety precautions.
Attachments
A dedicated check of attachments and accessories is crucial for safety and operational efficiency before any construction equipment goes on site. Start by examining the mounting and pins, verifying the attachment is securely pinned or locked to the machine. You also need to test the functionality of all attachments by fully cycling them to confirm responsive operation without any unusual noises or shuddering.
Documentation
Before loading the equipment onto the transport vehicle, verify that the following documents are present:
- Operator’s Manual
- Maintenance/Service Records
- Risk Assessment
- Operator Certification
These should be an essential part of inspections, as it improves the trust of machines so that they can be used on-site with no issues. If you’re an equipment hire business, you should have these documents ready at all times and be ready to present them upon request. This will help build trust with clients and improve your chances of a successful enquiry.
