United States High-risk taskVersion 1Updated September 25, 2026

Forklift daily inspection checklist

Free daily forklift inspection checklist based on OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178: walk-around, operating checks and an in-service decision. Fill in, print or save.

How often: Before a truck is placed in service and at least daily; after each shift when trucks are used around the clock.

Sections
4
Checks
31
Critical
8
Sources
23

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1

Truck number or asset tag *

2

Power source *

3

Date of examination *

4

Shift

5

Name of the person examining the truck *

6

Hour meter reading

h

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Frequently asked questions

How often does a forklift need to be inspected?

At least daily before it is placed in service, and after each shift if it is used around the clock [18].

What happens if the inspection finds a problem?

The truck is not placed in service when the examination shows a condition that affects its safety [20]. Defects are reported and corrected [19], and the truck stays out of service until it has been restored to safe operating condition [14]. Repairs are made by authorized personnel [16].

Does this checklist cover forklift operator certification?

No. Operator training and evaluation are a separate requirement: the employer certifies each operator's training and evaluation [10], and each operator's performance is evaluated at least once every three years [9].

Which trucks does OSHA 1910.178 cover?

Fork trucks, tractors, platform lift trucks, motorized hand trucks and other specialized industrial trucks powered by electric motors or internal combustion engines. It does not apply to compressed air or nonflammable compressed gas-operated trucks, to farm vehicles [1], or to vehicles intended primarily for earth moving or over-the-road hauling [2].

Built from 23 official sources

Every check traces to the text it is based on. Read the purpose, how to use it, the rules behind it, what it does not cover and every source.

Guidance, not legal advice. It does not replace the law, the manufacturer's instructions or your organization's competent people, and completing it does not certify that work is safe.