For the utilization of lift trucks, there are some safety and health rules governing their utilization. Forklifts are large industrial machines that could be dangerous and need to be handled with safety in mind. The regulations and rules state that the driver should perform daily checks on the forklift and more thorough inspections every week and on a monthly basis. The following inspections need to be performed on the lift truck:
Forklift Brakes - the brakes are a really vital component of the forklift equipment and thus they must be double and tripled checked. A brake check 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 - lift truck tires are also key for the safe performance of the forklift truck and to the braking system. All the tires have to be correctly checked to ensure they are inflated to the right pressure and that there are no punctures in the tires.
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 problems must immediately reported and tended to. The lift truck must not be used until the controller system has been fixed.
Steering Wheel - the driver should inspect the forklift steering wheel in order to make sure the turning of the wheel is right. Lift truck safety depends upon the steering wheel functioning correctly and responding well. There are various kinds of checks which can be carried out to determine the performance of the steering wheel.
Engine Oil - the engine oil has to be inspected by removing the dip stick from the forklift engine. The dipstick will show both the colour of the oil and the oil level. 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 outfitted with a fire extinguisher. The extinguisher needs to be checked to ensure it would work correctly in case of a fire. Various types of fire extinguisher must be checked in certain ways. For instance, a dry chemical extinguisher must be shaken.