For the utilization of forklifts, there are some safety and health rules governing their use. Lift trucks are huge industrial machines which can be dangerous and have to be handled with safety in mind. The rules and regulations state that the operator has to carry out daily inspections on the lift truck and more thorough checks on a weekly basis and every month. The following inspections must be carried out on the lift truck:
Lift Truck Brakes - brakes on forklifts are key features that must be double and triple checked. A brake check is done 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 - the tires are also essential to the safe performance of the truck and to the braking system. All the tires need to be correctly inspected to ensure that there are no punctures in the tires and they are inflated to the right pressure.
Controller - the lift truck controller system is checked by operating the forks and the release to know that the system is in good working order. Any hint of issues must immediately reported and tended to. The lift truck must not be used until the controller system has been fixed.
Steering Wheel - To make certain that the turning of the wheel is correct, the operator must inspect the forklift steering wheel. Forklift safety depends on the steering wheel functioning correctly and responding well. There are a variety of checks that can be performed to determine steering wheel performance.
Engine Oil - the engine oil has to be checked by removing the dip stick from the lift truck engine. The dipstick will show both the oil level and the colour of the oil. The oil must be refilled if the level is very low. If the colour is off, there could be contamination occurring.
Fire Extinguisher - lift trucks are required by law to carry a fire extinguisher. This fire extinguisher would have to be checked to ensure it would work properly in case of a fire. Various kinds of fire extinguisher has to be checked in specific ways. For example, a dry chemical extinguisher should be shaken.