There are safety and healthy regulations governing the use of forklift trucks. Any large machinery, like a forklift, is potentially dangerous and must be operated safely. The regulations and rules state that the driver must carry out daily checks on the lift truck and more thorough checks each and every week and every month. The following inspections need to be carried out on the lift truck:
Forklift Brakes - the brakes are a very vital part of the forklift machines and therefore they must be double and tripled checked. A brake inspection is performed 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 important for the safe performance of the lift truck and to the braking system. All the tires need to be correctly checked to make sure they are inflated to the proper pressure and that there are no punctures in the tires.
Controller - To determine whether the system is in good working condition, the forklift controller system needs to be inspected by operating the forks and the release mechanism. Any indication of problems must be reported and tended to immediately. The forklift should not be utilized until the controller system has been fixed.
Steering Wheel - the driver must inspect the forklift steering wheel to make certain the turning of the wheel is right. Forklift safety depends on the steering wheel working accurately and responding well. There are various kinds of inspections that could be carried out to determine the performance of the steering wheel.
Engine Oil - the engine oil has to be checked by removing the dip stick from the lift truck 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 happening.
Fire Extinguisher - forklifts are required by law to carry a fire extinguisher. This fire extinguisher will have to be checked to ensure it would function properly in case of a fire. Different kinds of fire extinguisher need to be checked in certain ways. For instance, a dry chemical extinguisher should be shaken.