For the utilization of lift trucks, there are several health and safety guidelines governing their utilization. Lift trucks are large industrial machines which can be dangerous and need to be handled with safety in mind. The regulations and rules state that the driver must carry out daily inspections on the forklift and more thorough checks each and every week and every month. The following inspections must be carried out on the lift truck:
Lift Truck Brakes - the brakes are a very vital component of the lift truck machinery and therefore they must be double and tripled checked. A brake check is done with different pedal heights and pressures to determine the sensitivity of the brakes. The brake lights must be inspected at the same time.
The Tires - the tires are also important to the safe functioning of the truck and to the braking system. All the tires should be correctly checked to ensure 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 lift truck controller system has to be inspected by operating the forks and the release mechanism. Any sign of problems must be reported and tended to at once. The lift truck should not be utilized until the controller system has been fixed.
Steering Wheel - the driver must inspect the lift truck steering wheel in order to make certain the turning of the wheel is right. Lift truck safety depends upon the steering wheel working correctly and responding well. There are a variety of inspections that can be done 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 would show both the level of the oil and the oil color. The oil should be refilled if the level is very low. If the colour is off, there could be contamination occurring.
Fire Extinguisher - forklifts are required by law to carry a fire extinguisher. This fire extinguisher will have to be tested to ensure it will work correctly in case of a fire. Different types of fire extinguisher must be inspected in certain ways. Like for example, a dry chemical extinguisher must be shaken.