For the use of lift trucks, there are some health and safety rules governing their use. Forklifts are big industrial equipment which could be dangerous and need to be handled with safety in mind. The regulations and rules state that the driver should conduct daily inspections on the lift truck and more thorough checks on a weekly basis and every month. The following inspections should be carried out on the lift truck:
Lift Truck Brakes - brakes on forklifts are important features that must be double and triple checked. A brake check is done with various pedal heights and pressures to determine the sensitivity of the brakes. The brake lights should be checked at the same time.
The Tires - forklift tires are also key for the safe functioning of the lift truck and to the braking system. All the tires should be inspected correctly to ensure 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 know that the system is in good working order. Any indication of problems should be reported and tended to immediately. The lift truck should not be used until the controller system has been fixed.
Steering Wheel - To make sure that the turning of the wheel is correct, the operator should inspect the lift truck steering wheel. Lift truck safety depends upon the steering wheel working correctly and responding well. There are a variety of inspections that could be done to determine the performance of the steering wheel.
Engine Oil - the engine oil has to be checked by removing the dip stick from the forklift engine. The dipstick would show both the level of the oil and the oil color. The oil must be refilled if the level is too 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 has to be checked to ensure it would work properly in the event of a fire. Different types of fire extinguisher must be checked in certain ways. For instance, a dry chemical extinguisher must be shaken.