For the use of forklifts, there are several safety and health rules governing their utilization. Forklifts are large industrial equipment which can be dangerous and have to be handled with safety in mind. The regulations and rules state that the operator should carry out daily checks on the forklift and more thorough inspections each and every week and on a monthly basis. The following inspections must be carried out on the lift truck:
Forklift Brakes - the brakes are a really important part of the lift truck machines and thus they should be double and tripled checked. A brake check is performed with different pedal heights and pressures to determine the sensitivity of the brakes. The brake lights should be inspected at the same time.
The Tires - lift truck tires are also important for the safe performance of the forklift truck and to the braking system. All the tires need to be correctly checked to make sure they are inflated to the right pressure and that there are no punctures in the tires.
Controller - the lift truck controller system is checked by operating the forks and the release to determine that the system is in good working order. Any hint of issues must immediately reported and tended to. The forklift must not be used until the controller system has been fixed.
Steering Wheel - the driver should check the forklift steering wheel to make certain the turning of the wheel is right. Forklift safety depends on the steering wheel responding well and functioning precisely. There are different kinds of inspections which could be performed to determine the performance of the steering wheel.
Engine Oil - the engine oil has to be checked by removing the dip stick from the lift truck engine. The dipstick would show the colour of the oil and the level of the oil. The oil should be refilled if the level is very low. If the colour is off, there might be contamination occurring.
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 kinds of fire extinguisher should be checked in specific ways. For example, a dry chemical extinguisher should be shaken.