There are healthy and safety guidelines governing the use of lift trucks. Any huge equipment, like a forklift, is potentially dangerous and must be used safely. The rules and regulations state that the operator must carry out daily inspections on the forklift and more thorough checks each and every week and every month. The following checks should be done on the forklift:
Lift Truck Brakes - the brakes are a very essential part of the lift truck machinery and therefore they must be double and tripled checked. A brake check is performed 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 - forklift tires are also important for the safe functioning of the lift truck and to the braking system. All the tires should be correctly inspected to ensure they are inflated to the proper pressure and that there are no punctures in the tires.
Controller - In order to determine whether the system is in good working condition, the lift truck controller system needs to be checked by operating the forks and the release mechanism. Any indication of problems must immediately reported and tended to. The forklift should not be utilized until the controller system has been fixed.
Steering Wheel - the operator should check the forklift steering wheel in order to make certain the turning of the wheel is right. Forklift safety depends upon the steering wheel working accurately and responding well. There are a variety of checks that can be carried out to determine the performance of the steering wheel.
Engine Oil - the engine oil has to be inspected by removing the dip stick from the forklift engine. The dipstick will 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 might be contamination happening.
Fire Extinguisher - forklifts are required by law to carry a fire extinguisher. This fire extinguisher would have to be tested to ensure it would work correctly in case of a fire. Different kinds of fire extinguisher should be inspected in specific ways. For instance, a dry chemical extinguisher should be shaken.