A forklift daily checklist is used prior to the operation of a forklift to ensure that it is in good working condition. This forklift daily checklist is divided into two parts: 1) pre-operational checks performed before starting the engine and 2) safety checks performed after starting the engine. This checklist includes the following items for what must be done daily before using a forklift:
A forklift checklist is a tool used by forklift operators to ensure that powered industrial trucks are in good working condition before use. Forklift checklists are used in conducting safety inspections and maintenance checks to reduce the likelihood of avoidable injuries and deaths caused by faulty forklifts in warehouses, factories, shipping yards, and other workplaces.
Below are Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the forklift requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and their corresponding answers:
Yes, OSHA requires forklift inspections. All industrial trucks need to be examined before use, and forklifts should not be used when the inspection reveals any condition adversely affecting the safety of the vehicle.
Yes, OSHA requires daily forklift inspection. Operators should perform forklift pre-use checks at least once a day, but when industrial trucks are used round-the-clock, they should be inspected after each shift.
No, OSHA does not require a forklift checklist, though it provides sample forklift checklists for various types of industrial trucks and, as mentioned previously, requires daily forklift inspections. According to OSHA, operators should modify forklift checklists based on the owner’s manual, specifications, manufacturer’s recommendations, and other workplace needs.
Aside from conducting forklift inspections (which can be facilitated by the use of checklists), OSHA also requires all forklift defects to be reported immediately and those qualified mechanics correct them.
Failure to inspect powered industrial trucks before use is one of the most cited OSHA violations in terms of forklift safety . Here are some guidelines to help forklift operators conduct forklift inspections and perform pre-operational, safety, and maintenance checks easily.
It can be easier for operators to perform the necessary pre-use inspections by practicing the outside-in technique for assessing the safety of a forklift.
What should I check before operating a forklift?
Forklift operators should immediately report unusual noises or vibrations during operational inspections. They should also do the following:
While driving, be alert for potential fire, leakage, overheating, and mechanical breakdown. If any of these defects among other safety issues are detected, forklift operators should stop, park the vehicle, and get help. While meeting deadlines and getting the job done matters, your safety and the safety of those around you matter more.
Regular maintenance is crucial to keep the safe operation of forklifts. A sign that could mean lift trucks are overdue for their adequate maintenance is when they skid or slide while in operation because of grease and spills. During preventive maintenance , check if powered industrial trucks are free of debris and lint to avoid improperly working controls.
Your forklift operators need to lift heavy loads, safely navigate through aisles, and watch out for pedestrians. They need to do all these and more as quickly as possible. Aside from those responsibilities, they also need to conduct regular forklift inspections. Whether you’re a supervisor in a warehouse, construction site, or manufacturing plant, the gravity of the forklift inspections conducted by your operators can’t be taken for granted.
Forklifts are crucial in your business’ logistics, thus you ensure inspections are performed consistently and efficiently. You are aware of the extreme consequences a single, inoperable forklift can cause to your operations.
E-commerce giants eBay and Amazon estimate their forklifts’ downtime value at whopping costs of $3,750 and $3,000 per minute, respectively. Reduce eBay’s downtime value by 95%, and smaller businesses can still lose a significant amount of $11,250 per hour.
On top of an inoperable forklift’s financial impact, other repercussions can include employees getting stressed because of the tense environment and, ultimately, your company’s reputation suffering due to unfulfilled customer demands.
Forklift inspections can mean the difference between profit and loss, which is why they need to be completed as effectively and efficiently as possible. If your operators currently use paper checklists for forklift inspections and you’ve begun to recognize its pitfalls, you might be looking for a solution that can resolve those drawbacks. Take a look at your current forklift inspection process and see if a more modern and digital solution is what you and your operators need.
Here’s how forklift operators typically complete inspections with a paper checklist:
On the other hand, shift supervisors need to undertake all (or at least some) of the following tasks when forklift operators use a paper checklist for their inspections:
This paper-based inspection poses challenges that you may have already noticed in your everyday workflow. This can include the hassle of collating necessary documents to create a report, piles of paperwork in your office, and delays in communicating forklift issues.
As highlighted previously, you know that time is gold in forklift operations, and you shouldn’t allow these issues to continue crippling your forklift safety program.
As one of the main people who manage forklift safety in your workplace, you may have asked yourself if it’s time for a change and considered a forklift inspection app as a solution. If this is the case, we’ll share with you the advantages you and your forklift operators can enjoy with a forklift app like SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor) .
The contents of a forklift safety checklist should, at the minimum, include all essential parts of the forklift being checked and consider the type of inspection to be done involving the forklift. The most basic forklift checklist is divided into two sections: pre-start or pre-operational and after starting the engine.
During pre-start, the following, among other things, are checked:
The following are checked after starting the engine to make sure they will function during operations:
Here are the top 3 advantages of using digital forklift checklists in a forklift app such as SafetyCulture:
With SafetyCulture as your forklift app, all your operators need during inspections is a mobile device—no more pens, papers, and cameras. SafetyCulture allows them to eliminate paperwork and fill out digital checklists, capture photos, annotate them, and generate a report instantly with just a few taps. You won’t need to dive through piles of paperwork when presenting proof of compliance to OSHA because your forklifts’ records of service are all secure in the cloud.
Gone are the days of extra trips to the office and extra steps for retrieving photos. SafetyCulture as your forklift app enables you to instantly send reports (with complete attachments and notes) to whoever needs them via email or the app itself. You also have the power to remotely schedule and assign tasks (e.g. monthly or quarterly maintenance schedules) to your operators within the app’s central dashboard.
Using SafetyCulture as your forklift app, your operators can immediately notify you and maintenance personnel of any disrepair or malfunction. Having quick access to this information empowers you to make immediate decisions and avoid costly downtime.
In summary, the benefits of SafetyCulture are the following:
Download any of our featured forklift checklists for free, or start using SafetyCulture immediately (free version has unlimited inspections).
A forklift inspection checklist is used for monthly monitoring of the forklift’s condition. It evaluates the overall condition of the forklift and the operator’s operating practices. Use this forklift inspection checklist to ensure that employees comply with the standard operating procedures of forklift use.
Inspection template Powered byA forklift safety checklist is used by managers to audit the competency of a forklift operator and ensure safety in the overall operation of the forklift. Here is an outline of what should be included in a forklift safety checklist:
Also known as a forklift pre-start checklist, a forklift pre-operational checklist is used to mitigate the risks of operating forklifts. Using a forklift pre-start checklist can also increase forklift uptime. Forklift operators can use this checklist to document and conduct a pre-use forklift inspection. It includes both a visual check and an operational check.
Inspection template Powered byWith a forklift pre-use inspection checklist, you can perform safety audits on forklift trucks, equipment, and operators. Use this forklift checklist to do the following:
Jona Tarlengco is a content writer and researcher for SafetyCulture since 2018. She usually writes about safety and quality topics, contributing to the creation of well-researched articles. Her years of experience in one of the world’s leading business news organisations helps enrich the quality of the information in her work.
A forklift inspection checklist is used for monthly monitoring of the forklift’s condition. It evaluates the overall condition of the forklift and the operator’s operating practices. Use this forklift inspection checklist to ensure that employees comply with the standard operating procedures of forklift use.
A forklift safety checklist is used by managers to audit the competency of a forklift operator and ensure safety in the overall operation of the forklift. Here is an outline of what should be included in a forklift safety checklist: Operator Details Daily Safety Inspection Operator Safety & Observation Steering & Operating Controls Competency in Load Capacity Maneuvering & Transportation Stacking & De-stacking Correct Parking Procedure Recommendations & Evaluations
Also known as a forklift pre-start checklist, a forklift pre-operational checklist is used to mitigate the risks of operating forklifts. Using a forklift pre-start checklist can also increase forklift uptime. Forklift operators can use this checklist to document and conduct a pre-use forklift inspection. It includes both a visual check and an operational check.
With a forklift pre-use inspection checklist, you can perform safety audits on forklift trucks, equipment, and operators. Use this forklift checklist to do the following: Record general information about the forklift, such as serial number, make, model, capacity, motive power and attachments. Proceed with operator safety checks to assess forklift drivers’ competency on forklift operations and protocols. Perform thorough visual checks on vehicle parts and systems. Complete the audit by rating the overall performance “Safe” or “At Risk” and affix a digital signature to validate.
