Inspect a Forklift
HRSDC and OSHA report that over 10,000 workplace injuries related to fork lifts happen every year. Operator error is the cause of many of these mishaps. Lack of appropriate equipment maintenance and check causes many others. Forklift operation and maintenance is not just the cause of personal injuries, but also of damage to property. Forklifts can damage building structures, overhead pipes and sprinklers, and other equipment when wrongly operated. The following daily inspections should be performed so as to reduce the possibility of forklift mishaps.
Turn off the engine before checking different fluid levels: fuel, engine oil, brake fluid, hydraulic oil and coolant. The tires must be inspected for signs of wear and tear. Check the air pressure in the tires. Check the forks' condition. The load backrest must be tightly attached. Do a visual check of the top-clip retaining heel and pin. Afterward perform an inspection of the mast chains, hydraulic hoses, cables and stops. Ensure that the finger and overhead guards are firmly attached.
LP forklifts have propane tanks that have to be checked for signs of damage, rust or corrosion. Test the battery's charge and electrolyte levels. All belts must be checked for wear. Check to make sure the owner's guidebook is stored on-board the forklift in a storage compartment. Test the seat belt to make sure the latches are secure. Check the hood latch to make certain that it is functioning as it should.
To make certain there are no unusual engine sounds, start the engine up and listen for any irregularities. If there are, investigate immediately. Test the accelerator and the steering controls. The parking break and the service break should be functioning properly.
To ensure proper functioning in both reverse and forward, the drive control and tilt control should be inspected. The functioning of the lowering control, the hoist and attachment control requires periodic inspection. Test the horn and lights. Then check the defroster, wipers and heater to make sure they are working smoothly. Check each and every gauge to ascertain that it is reading within functional limits.