For the utilization of forklifts, there are some safety and health rules governing their utilization. Forklifts are big industrial equipment that can be dangerous and need to be handled with safety in mind. The rules and regulations state that the operator has to perform daily inspections on the lift truck and more thorough inspections every week and on a monthly basis. The following checks must be carried out on the lift truck:
Lift Truck Brakes - the brakes are a really essential component of the forklift machinery and therefore they should be double and tripled checked. A brake inspection 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 - forklift tires are also important for the safe functioning of the forklift truck and to the braking system. All the tires have to be correctly checked to make certain they are inflated to the right pressure and that there are no punctures in the tires.
Controller - To determine whether the system is in good working condition, the lift truck controller system has to be inspected by operating the forks and the release mechanism. Any indication of problems should immediately reported and tended to. The forklift should not be utilized until the controller system has been fixed.
Steering Wheel - the operator must inspect the forklift steering wheel to make certain the turning of the wheel is right. Forklift safety depends upon the steering wheel functioning accurately and responding well. There are a variety of checks that could be done to determine steering wheel performance.
Engine Oil - the engine oil needs to be inspected by removing the dip stick from the forklift engine. The dipstick would show both the level of the oil and the colour of the oil. The oil must be refilled if the level is very low. If the colour is off, there might be contamination occurring.
Fire Extinguisher - all forklift trucks are required to be equipped with a fire extinguisher. The extinguisher needs to be tested to ensure it would function correctly in the event of a fire. Different kinds of fire extinguisher should be inspected in specific ways. Like for example, a dry chemical extinguisher needs to be shaken.