For the use of forklifts, there are some safety and health guidelines governing their use. Forklifts are huge industrial machinery which can be dangerous and have to be handled with safety in mind. The rules and regulations state that the operator has to conduct daily inspections on the lift truck and more thorough inspections each and every week and every month. The following inspections must be carried out on the forklift:
Lift Truck Brakes - the brakes are a very important part of the forklift equipment and therefore they must be double and tripled checked. A brake check is carried out with different 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 important to the safe functioning of the truck and to the braking system. All the tires must be inspected properly to make certain they are inflated to the proper pressure and that there are no punctures in the tires.
Controller - the forklift controller system is inspected by operating the forks and the release to determine that the system is in good working order. Any sign of issues should be reported and tended to at once. The forklift must not be utilized until the controller system has been fixed.
Steering Wheel - the driver should inspect the lift truck steering wheel to make certain the turning of the wheel is right. Forklift safety depends upon the steering wheel responding well and working accurately. There are different types of inspections which 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 level of the oil and the oil color. The oil must be refilled if the level is too low. If the colour is off, there might be contamination occurring.
Fire Extinguisher - all lift trucks are required to be equipped with a fire extinguisher. The extinguisher needs to be checked to ensure it would function properly in the event of a fire. Various kinds of fire extinguisher must be inspected in certain ways. Like for instance, a dry chemical extinguisher should be shaken.