For the use of lift trucks, there are some safety and health guidelines governing their utilization. Lift trucks are big industrial equipment that can be dangerous and have to be handled with safety in mind. The regulations and rules state that the operator must carry out daily checks on the forklift and more thorough inspections each and every week and each and every month. The following checks need to be carried out on the forklift:
Lift Truck Brakes - the brakes are a really vital part of the lift truck machinery and therefore they should be double and tripled checked. A brake inspection is carried out with various pressures and pedal heights 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 functioning of the truck and to the braking system. All the tires should be properly checked to make certain 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 forklift controller system needs to be checked by operating the forks and the release mechanism. Any sign of problems should immediately reported and tended to. The forklift must not be used until the controller system has been repaired.
Steering Wheel - the operator should check the lift truck steering wheel in order to make certain the turning of the wheel is correct. Forklift safety depends on the steering wheel responding well and functioning precisely. There are various types of inspections that can be done to determine steering wheel performance.
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 color and the level of the oil. The oil should be refilled if the level is too low. If the colour is off, there could be contamination occurring.
Fire Extinguisher - forklifts are required by law to carry a fire extinguisher. This fire extinguisher will need to be tested to ensure it will work properly in case of a fire. Different kinds of fire extinguisher must be checked in specific ways. Like for instance, a dry chemical extinguisher must be shaken.