If you discover a hydraulic leak during operation, what steps should you take?

• A. Continue operation to move to a safe area, then report later.
• B. Ignore the leak and resume operations.
• C. Stop the forklift, lower the load, engage the parking brake, tag the equipment out, and report the leak to maintenance; do not operate until repaired.
• D. Increase hydraulic pressure to seal the leak.

Answer: (C)

Stop and secure the forklift immediately, then follow proper shutdown and isolation steps. A hydraulic leak means pressurized fluid could spray or spill, reducing control and creating slip and fire hazards. Lowering the load minimizes the chance of the load shifting or falling, and engaging the parking brake prevents any unexpected movement. Tagging the equipment out signals that it is out of service and must not be operated until it has been inspected and repaired. Reporting the leak to maintenance ensures the issue is diagnosed and fixed before the forklift is used again.

This approach keeps you and others safe, contains the hydraulic fluid, and preserves the equipment for proper repair. Continuing operation, ignoring the leak, or trying to seal it by increasing pressure can lead to sudden loss of control, more damage, or a dangerous spill.