For the use of forklifts, there are several safety and health rules governing their use. Lift trucks are big industrial equipment that can be dangerous and need to be handled with safety in mind. The regulations and rules state that the operator must perform daily checks on the lift truck and more thorough inspections every week and on a monthly basis. The following checks must be done on the lift truck:
Lift Truck Brakes - the brakes are a really essential part of the forklift machines and therefore they must be double and tripled checked. A brake inspection is carried out with various pedal heights and pressures to determine the sensitivity of the brakes. The brake lights must be inspected at the same time.
The Tires - forklift tires are also key for the safe functioning of the forklift truck and to the braking system. All the tires should be checked correctly to ensure that there are no punctures in the tires and they are inflated to the proper pressure.
Controller - To know whether the system is in good working condition, the lift truck controller system has to be inspected by operating the forks and the release mechanism. Any hint of problems should immediately reported and tended to. The lift truck should not be utilized until the controller system has been repaired.
Steering Wheel - the driver should check the forklift steering wheel in order to make certain the turning of the wheel is right. Lift truck safety depends on the steering wheel responding well and functioning precisely. There are various kinds of checks that could be performed to determine steering wheel performance.
Engine Oil - the engine oil needs to be inspected by removing the dip stick from the lift truck engine. The dipstick will show the oil level and the oil color. The oil must be refilled if the level is very low. If the colour is off, there could be contamination occurring.
Fire Extinguisher - forklifts are required by law to carry a fire extinguisher. This fire extinguisher would need to be tested to ensure it would work properly in the event of a fire. Different types of fire extinguisher need to be checked in certain ways. For instance, a dry chemical extinguisher should be shaken.