There are healthy and safety guidelines governing the utilization of lift trucks. Any large machinery, like a lift truck, is potentially dangerous and should be utilized safely. The rules and regulations state that the driver should conduct daily inspections on the forklift and more thorough checks on a weekly basis and every month. The following checks need to be performed on the lift truck:
Forklift Brakes - brakes on lift trucks are important features which must be double and triple checked. A brake check is performed with different pedal heights and pressures to determine the sensitivity of the brakes. The brake lights should be checked at the same time.
The Tires - the tires are also essential to the safe functioning of the truck and to the braking system. All the tires should be properly checked to make sure that there are no punctures in the tires and they are inflated to the proper pressure.
Controller - In order to know whether the system is in good working condition, the lift truck controller system has to be checked by operating the forks and the release mechanism. Any hint of issues must be reported and tended to right away. The forklift should not be utilized until the controller system has been repaired.
Steering Wheel - In order to make certain that the turning of the wheel is right, the driver must check the forklift steering wheel. Lift truck safety depends on the steering wheel responding well and working accurately. There are different types of checks that can be performed to determine the performance of the steering wheel.
Engine Oil - the engine oil needs to be checked by removing the dip stick from the forklift engine. The dipstick would show both the colour of the oil and the oil level. The oil must be refilled if the level is very low. If the colour is off, there could be contamination occurring.
Fire Extinguisher - all lift trucks are required to be outfitted with a fire extinguisher. The extinguisher has to be tested to ensure it will function correctly in the event of a fire. Various kinds of fire extinguisher should be inspected in specific ways. For example, a dry chemical extinguisher must be shaken.