What should you do if you notice a defect in a forklift?

When you notice a defect in a forklift, tagging it out of service is the appropriate action to take. This practice is vital for ensuring safety for both the operator and other personnel in the vicinity. By tagging the forklift out of service, you effectively communicate to everyone that the equipment is not safe to use until it has been inspected and repaired. This helps prevent accidents and injuries that could occur if the defect goes unaddressed and someone attempts to operate the forklift.

Ignoring issues, as suggested in one option, poses a significant safety risk, while only addressing serious defects may allow smaller, yet still dangerous, problems to persist. Reducing the workload on the forklift does not address the underlying issue and might still lead to failure or accidents. Therefore, tagging the machine out of service is the recognized safety procedure and ensures that proper maintenance can be carried out, upholding workplace safety standards.