Ensure Vehicle Performance & Worker Safety with Daily Forklift Checklist
Operating a forklift presents numerous opportunities for operator and warehouse personnel injury. Most of those injuries result from improper or careless operation, but some are caused by equipment issues. Procedures that minimize the potential for forklift accidents should be part of every company’s playbook. Among those is a well-planned and implemented pre-shift or daily forklift inspection program.
But safety is only one reason for regular comprehensive a forklift inspection checklist. Running through a daily forklift inspection checklist can also be part of a predictive maintenance program that reveals areas of potential breakdown and poor performance, things that can result in costly downtime.
OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7) requires that powered industrial trucks be examined before being placed into service and that forklifts found to have defects that adversely affect their operation be taken out of service. For forklifts used on more than one shift daily, inspections need to be done at the shift change. While OSHA doesn’t prescribe an actual checklist, these are available from Apex for both internal combustion and electric forklift trucks.
 Click to download |
 Click to download |
Daily forklift inspection procedures are similar to what you look for when you pick up a rental car—check the body for scratches and dings and make sure everything works. Of course, with a forklift truck, it’s a bit more complicated with both Engine On Checks and Engine Off Checks but the inspection items fall into a number of broad categories:
Daily Forklift Checklist Items
- Do a physical check for dings or other evidence of prior forklift accidents.
- Check all fluid and fuel levels, including battery fluid, hydraulics, water, and oil.
- Check battery fluid levels and connections.
- Check for leaks in valves and hoses.
- Check all mechanical items like forks, mast, belts, and chains. Look out for missing bolts or damaged parts.
- Check tire condition and pressure.
- Ensure that all electrical and electronic components like gages, horns, alarms, and lights are intact and in working order.
- Check brakes and steering control.
Apex provides a comprehensive checklist for internal combustion trucks: Inspection-Form-IC.pdf, and for electric lifts trucks: Inspection-Form-Electric.pdf.
Forklift inspections are one of those things that are often neglected or poorly documented in the hustle and bustle of daily operations. They require a commitment on the part of both management and forklift operators to be effective.
Training is key to making sure operators are aware of and comply with these important forklift inspection procedures. And Apex can help. For more information about Apex’s Expert Forklift Training Program, visit: Forklift Operator Training & Certification – Servicing the Chicago Metro Area. Or give us a call and our service team will be glad to assist you in setting up a forklift inspection program at your facility.