For the use of lift trucks, there are a few safety and health rules governing their utilization. Lift trucks are large industrial equipment which can be dangerous and need to be handled with safety in mind. The rules and regulations state that the operator has to perform daily checks on the forklift and more thorough inspections on a weekly basis and every month. The following checks should be carried out on the lift truck:
Lift Truck Brakes - the brakes are a very vital component of the lift truck equipment and hence they should be double and tripled checked. A brake check is carried out with different pedal heights and pressures to determine the sensitivity of the brakes. The brake lights should be checked at the same time.
The Tires - the tires are also vital to the safe performance of the truck and to the braking system. All the tires should be correctly inspected to ensure that there are no punctures in the tires and they are inflated to the proper pressure.
Controller - the lift truck controller system is checked by operating the forks and the release to determine that the system is in good working order. Any indication of problems should be reported and tended to immediately. The forklift must not be utilized until the controller system has been repaired.
Steering Wheel - the operator must check the lift truck steering wheel in order to make sure the turning of the wheel is correct. Lift truck safety depends on the steering wheel working accurately and responding well. There are a variety of inspections which could be carried out to determine steering wheel performance.
Engine Oil - the engine oil needs to be inspected by removing the dip stick from the forklift engine. The dipstick will show the oil color and the oil level. The oil should be refilled if the level is very low. If the colour is off, there might be contamination happening.
Fire Extinguisher - all lift trucks are required to be outfitted with a fire extinguisher. The extinguisher needs to be checked to ensure it would work properly in case of a fire. Different types of fire extinguisher has to be checked in specific ways. For instance, a dry chemical extinguisher should be shaken.