For the use of forklifts, there are several safety and health guidelines governing their use. Forklifts are large industrial machines that can be dangerous and have to be handled with safety in mind. The regulations and rules state that the driver must perform daily checks on the lift truck and more thorough checks on a weekly basis and every month. The following checks have to be performed on the forklift:
Forklift Brakes - the brakes are a very important part of the forklift machinery and thus they should be double and tripled checked. A brake check is performed with various pressures and pedal heights 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 have to be correctly inspected to ensure that there are no punctures in the tires and they are inflated to the right pressure.
Controller - In order to determine whether the system is in good working condition, the forklift controller system has to be checked by operating the forks and the release mechanism. Any indication of issues should immediately reported and tended to. The forklift should not be utilized until the controller system has been fixed.
Steering Wheel - the driver must check the forklift steering wheel to make sure the turning of the wheel is correct. Lift truck safety depends upon the steering wheel responding well and functioning precisely. There are different kinds of checks that could be carried out to determine steering wheel performance.
Engine Oil - the Removing the oil dip stick from the engine with help determine if the engine needs oil. 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 might be contamination happening.
Fire Extinguisher - lift trucks are required by law to carry a fire extinguisher. This fire extinguisher would have to be tested to ensure it would work properly in case of a fire. Different types of fire extinguisher has to be checked in certain ways. Like for instance, a dry chemical extinguisher needs to be shaken.