For the use of forklifts, there are several safety and health guidelines governing their utilization. Lift trucks are large industrial machines which can be dangerous and have to be handled with safety in mind. The rules and regulations state that the operator must perform daily inspections on the lift truck and more thorough checks on a weekly basis and on a monthly basis. The following checks should be done on the forklift:
Forklift Brakes - the brakes are a very important component of the lift truck machinery and therefore they must be double and tripled checked. A brake inspection is performed with different pedal heights and pressures to determine the sensitivity of the brakes. The brake lights must be checked 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 have to be inspected properly to make sure that there are no punctures in the tires and they are inflated to the right pressure.
Controller - In order to determine whether the system is in good working condition, the lift truck controller system needs to be inspected by operating the forks and the release mechanism. Any sign of issues should immediately reported and tended to. The lift truck should not be used until the controller system has been repaired.
Steering Wheel - the driver must inspect the forklift steering wheel to make certain the turning of the wheel is right. Forklift safety depends on the steering wheel working correctly and responding well. There are various types of checks that can be performed to determine the performance of the steering wheel.
Engine Oil - the engine oil needs to be inspected by removing the dip stick from the lift truck engine. The dipstick would show the oil level and the oil color. The oil should be refilled if the level is very low. If the colour is off, there could be contamination happening.
Fire Extinguisher - all lift trucks are required to be equipped with a fire extinguisher. The extinguisher needs to be tested to ensure it would work correctly in the event of a fire. Various types of fire extinguisher must be checked in specific ways. For instance, a dry chemical extinguisher has to be shaken.