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equipment

Forklift Daily Pre-Shift Inspection

OSHA 1910.178-required pre-shift inspection — failures take the truck out of service until corrected.

14 days free, $0 today — this template is included, and everyone else in your company uses it free.

Rolled out to every employee at AutoZone (125,000), PetSmart (50,000+), A.S. Watson and Raley's (20,000) — and at larger retailers we are not permitted to name.

Built for: Warehouse · Distribution · Manufacturing · Construction

What's inside this template

Visual Inspection (Engine Off)

  • No visible leaks (oil, coolant, hydraulic) under truck (critical · weight 1.0)
  • Tires intact, no chunking or separation (critical · weight 1.0)
  • Forks straight, not bent or cracked; heel ≥90% of original (critical · weight 1.0)
  • Mast/chains lubricated, no kinks or broken links (weight 1.0)
  • Overhead guard and load backrest secure (weight 1.0)
  • Battery cables tight; no corrosion or burn marks (weight 1.0)

Operational Checks (Engine On)

  • Horn audible from 25 ft (critical · weight 1.0)
  • Lights and turn signals functional (weight 1.0)
  • Backup alarm sounds when in reverse (critical · weight 1.0)
  • Brakes (service and parking) hold the truck on a slope (critical · weight 1.0)
  • Steering smooth, no binding or excessive play (weight 1.0)
  • Hydraulics: lift, lower, tilt, and side-shift all functional (weight 1.0)
  • No abnormal sounds or vibration during test drive (weight 1.0)

Documentation

  • Hour meter reading recorded (weight 1.0)
  • Operator name and time recorded (weight 1.0)
  • Any defects logged on a work order (weight 1.0)

Common use cases

Pre-shift operator inspection
OSHA compliance
Maintenance work order trigger

Frequently asked questions

What if the forklift fails an item — can the operator drive it back to maintenance?

Only if the failed item doesn't affect safe operation (e.g. a missing parts label). Brake / steering / hydraulic / horn / backup-alarm failures = leave in place and call maintenance.

Do battery-powered (electric) forklifts use the same form?

Mostly yes — engine-on checks become powered-on checks. Skip the leak check, add a battery acid/electrolyte and charge level check.

Go deeper on the topic

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Ready to use this template?

Start free with Safety & Compliance — Forklift Daily Pre-Shift Inspection is included, and everyone else in your company uses it free.

Rolled out to every employee at AutoZone (125,000), PetSmart (50,000+), A.S. Watson and Raley's (20,000) — and at larger retailers we are not permitted to name.