There are safety and healthy rules governing the utilization of forklift trucks. Any large machinery, such as a lift truck, is potentially dangerous and must be used safely. The rules and regulations state that the driver needs to carry out daily inspections on the forklift and more thorough inspections every week and on a monthly basis. The following checks must be done on the forklift:
Forklift Brakes - the brakes are a really vital component of the lift truck machines and therefore they should be double and tripled checked. A brake check is done 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 - lift truck tires are also key for the safe performance of the forklift truck and to the braking system. All the tires must be properly checked to ensure they are inflated to the proper pressure and that there are no punctures in the tires.
Controller - the forklift controller system is checked by operating the forks and the release to know that the system is in good working order. Any sign of problems should immediately reported and tended to. The forklift must not be used until the controller system has been fixed.
Steering Wheel - the driver must inspect the lift truck steering wheel in order to make certain the turning of the wheel is right. Lift truck safety depends on the steering wheel responding well and functioning precisely. There are a variety of checks 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 will show the oil level and the colour of the oil. The oil must 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 would need to be checked to ensure it would function properly in the event of a fire. Various types of fire extinguisher has to be inspected in certain ways. For instance, a dry chemical extinguisher has to be shaken.