For the use of forklifts, there are several health and safety guidelines governing their utilization. Lift trucks are big industrial machinery that can be dangerous and need to be handled with safety in mind. The rules and regulations state that the operator should perform daily inspections on the lift truck and more thorough inspections every week and on a monthly basis. The following checks have to be done on the forklift:
Forklift Brakes - the brakes are a really essential component of the forklift machinery and therefore they should 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 should be inspected at the same time.
The Tires - the tires are also vital to the safe performance of the truck and to the braking system. All the tires must be inspected correctly to make certain they are inflated to the right pressure and that there are no punctures in the tires.
Controller - In order to know whether the system is in good working condition, the forklift controller system needs to be checked by operating the forks and the release mechanism. Any sign of problems should be reported and tended to instantly. The lift truck must not be utilized until the controller system has been repaired.
Steering Wheel - the operator must inspect the lift truck steering wheel in order to make certain the turning of the wheel is correct. Lift truck safety depends upon the steering wheel responding well and working precisely. There are different types of inspections which could be done to determine steering wheel performance.
Engine Oil - the engine oil has to be inspected by removing the dip stick from the forklift engine. The dipstick would show the colour of the oil and the level of the oil. The oil must be refilled if the level is very low. If the colour is off, there could be contamination happening.
Fire Extinguisher - lift trucks are required by law to carry a fire extinguisher. This fire extinguisher will need to be checked to ensure it will work correctly in case of a fire. Different kinds of fire extinguisher need to be checked in specific ways. Like for instance, a dry chemical extinguisher should be shaken.