For the use of lift trucks, there are a few health and safety rules governing their use. Lift trucks are huge industrial machines which can be dangerous and have to be handled with safety in mind. The rules and regulations state that the operator needs to conduct daily checks on the lift truck and more thorough inspections on a weekly basis and every month. The following checks should be performed on the lift truck:
Lift Truck Brakes - brakes on forklifts are key features which must be double and triple checked. A brake inspection is carried out with different pedal heights and pressures to determine the sensitivity of the brakes. The brake lights should be inspected at the same time.
The Tires - the tires are also important to the safe performance of the truck and to the braking system. All the tires have to be inspected properly to make sure that there are no punctures in the tires and they are inflated to the proper pressure.
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 indication of issues must be reported and tended to right away. The forklift should not be used until the controller system has been fixed.
Steering Wheel - To make sure that the turning of the wheel is right, the driver must check the forklift steering wheel. Lift truck safety depends upon the steering wheel responding well and functioning accurately. There are different types of checks which can be carried out 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 both 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 occurring.
Fire Extinguisher - forklifts are required by law to carry a fire extinguisher. This fire extinguisher will have to be checked to ensure it will work correctly in the event of a fire. Various kinds of fire extinguisher must be inspected in certain ways. Like for example, a dry chemical extinguisher must be shaken.