There are safety and healthy rules governing the use of forklift trucks. Any big machinery, like a lift truck, is potentially dangerous and must be used safely. The rules and regulations state that the operator should carry out daily checks on the lift truck and more thorough checks every week and on a monthly basis. The following checks should be done on the forklift:
Lift Truck Brakes - the brakes are a very vital component of the forklift machines and thus they should be double and tripled checked. A brake inspection is performed with various pressures and pedal heights to determine the sensitivity of the brakes. The brake lights must be inspected 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 must be inspected properly to ensure they are inflated to the right pressure and that there are no punctures in the tires.
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 should be reported and tended to instantly. The forklift must not be used until the controller system has been fixed.
Steering Wheel - the operator must inspect the forklift steering wheel in order to make certain the turning of the wheel is correct. Lift truck safety depends on the steering wheel working correctly and responding well. There are different kinds of checks that can be carried out to determine steering wheel performance.
Engine Oil - the engine oil has to be inspected by removing the dip stick from the lift truck engine. The dipstick will show both the colour of the oil and the oil level. The oil must be refilled if the level is too low. If the colour is off, there might 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 case of a fire. Different types of fire extinguisher has to be inspected in specific ways. Like for example, a dry chemical extinguisher has to be shaken.