There are safety and healthy rules governing the utilization of lift trucks. Any big machinery, such as a forklift, is potentially dangerous and should be operated safely. The rules and regulations state that the operator needs to conduct daily inspections on the lift truck and more thorough inspections on a weekly basis and on a monthly basis. The following checks must be performed on the lift truck:
Lift Truck Brakes - brakes on lift trucks are important features which must be double and triple checked. A brake check is carried out with different pressures and pedal heights to determine the sensitivity of the brakes. The brake lights should be checked at the same time.
The Tires - forklift tires are also important for the safe performance of the lift truck and to the braking system. All the tires should be correctly inspected 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 has to be checked by operating the forks and the release mechanism. Any indication of problems should immediately reported and tended to. The lift truck should not be utilized until the controller system has been fixed.
Steering Wheel - In order to make sure that the turning of the wheel is correct, the operator must inspect the lift truck steering wheel. Lift truck safety depends on the steering wheel working correctly and responding well. There are a variety of checks which can be done to determine the performance of the steering wheel.
Engine Oil - the engine oil has to be checked 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 should be refilled if the level is very 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 have to be checked to ensure it would work properly in case of a fire. Various kinds of fire extinguisher must be inspected in certain ways. For instance, a dry chemical extinguisher needs to be shaken.