Forklift Daily Pre-Shift Inspection
OSHA 1910.178-required pre-shift inspection — failures take the truck out of service until corrected.
What's inside this template
Visual Inspection (Engine Off)
- No visible leaks (oil, coolant, hydraulic) under truck
- Tires intact, no chunking or separation
- Forks straight, not bent or cracked; heel ≥90% of original
- Mast/chains lubricated, no kinks or broken links
- Overhead guard and load backrest secure
- Battery cables tight; no corrosion or burn marks
Operational Checks (Engine On)
- Horn audible from 25 ft
- Lights and turn signals functional
- Backup alarm sounds when in reverse
- Brakes (service and parking) hold the truck on a slope
- Steering smooth, no binding or excessive play
- Hydraulics: lift, lower, tilt, and side-shift all functional
- No abnormal sounds or vibration during test drive
Documentation
- Hour meter reading recorded
- Operator name and time recorded
- Any defects logged on a work order
Common use cases
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.
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