For the use of forklifts, there are some safety and health guidelines governing their utilization. Lift trucks are huge industrial machines which can be dangerous and have to be handled with safety in mind. The regulations and rules state that the driver needs to carry out daily checks on the forklift and more thorough inspections on a weekly basis and on a monthly basis. The following inspections have to be done on the forklift:
Forklift Brakes - the brakes are a really essential component of the lift truck machines and hence they should be double and tripled checked. A brake inspection is carried out with different pedal heights and pressures to determine the sensitivity of the brakes. The brake lights must be checked at the same time.
The Tires - forklift tires are also important for the safe performance of the forklift 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 right pressure.
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 indication of issues should immediately reported and tended to. The forklift should not be utilized until the controller system has been fixed.
Steering Wheel - the operator must check the forklift steering wheel in order to make certain the turning of the wheel is correct. Forklift safety depends on the steering wheel working accurately and responding well. There are various kinds of inspections that could be done to determine steering wheel performance.
Engine Oil - the engine oil has to be checked by removing the dip stick from the lift truck engine. The dipstick would show both the oil color 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 occurring.
Fire Extinguisher - forklifts are required by law to carry a fire extinguisher. This fire extinguisher will need 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 instance, a dry chemical extinguisher has to be shaken.