During a daily pre-shift inspection, the operator discovers that one of the telehandler's forks has a visible bend of approximately 5 degrees from its original straight profile. What action is required according to CSA B354.7 and provincial OHS regulations?

Question: During a daily pre-shift inspection, the operator discovers that one of the telehandler's forks has a visible bend of approximately 5 degrees from its original straight profile. What action is required according to CSA B354.7 and provincial OHS regulations?

Answer options: ✅ The telehandler must be immediately tagged out of service and the fork replaced or repaired by a qualified person.

• The bent fork should be repositioned to the inside, and light loads can be lifted.
• The operator should check for cracks in the bent area and, if none are found, proceed with caution.
• The fork can be straightened on-site using a heavy-duty press or hammer.

Correct answer: The telehandler must be immediately tagged out of service and the fork replaced or repaired by a qualified person.

Explanation: Bent or damaged forks compromise the structural integrity and load-bearing capacity of the telehandler, creating a severe safety hazard. CSA B354.7 and provincial OHS regulations mandate that equipment with such defects be immediately tagged out and repaired or replaced by a qualified person competent in fork inspection and repair.