For the utilization of lift trucks, there are some safety and health guidelines governing their use. Lift trucks are large industrial machinery which could be dangerous and have to be handled with safety in mind. The rules and regulations state that the operator needs to carry out daily inspections on the forklift and more thorough inspections every week and each and every month. The following checks must be performed on the forklift:
Forklift Brakes - brakes on lift trucks are key features that should be double and triple checked. A brake check is performed with various 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 vital to the safe performance of the truck and to the braking system. All the tires must be checked properly to ensure that there are no punctures in the tires and they are inflated to the proper pressure.
Controller - In order to determine whether the system is in good working condition, the forklift controller system needs to be inspected by operating the forks and the release mechanism. Any sign of issues must immediately reported and tended to. The lift truck must not be utilized until the controller system has been repaired.
Steering Wheel - the driver must inspect the lift truck steering wheel in order to make sure the turning of the wheel is correct. Lift truck safety depends on the steering wheel working accurately and responding well. There are different kinds of inspections that can be performed 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 oil level. The oil should be refilled if the level is too low. If the colour is off, there could be contamination happening.
Fire Extinguisher - all forklift trucks are required to be equipped with a fire extinguisher. The extinguisher needs to be checked to ensure it will work properly in the event of a fire. Various types of fire extinguisher should be checked in certain ways. For example, a dry chemical extinguisher must be shaken.