A pre-operation inspection is the check of a forklift's condition and safety devices made before it is used, at least daily, or after each shift where trucks run around the clock.
29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7) requires trucks to be examined before being placed in service, daily, or after each shift where they are used around the clock, and defects that affect safe operation must be reported and corrected before the truck is used. OSHA publishes sample daily checklists that cover visual checks, such as tires, forks, chains, fluid leaks and the data plate, and operational checks, such as brakes, steering, horn, lights and the seat belt.
Paper checklists are easy to fill in without looking. Digital pre-operation checklists on a tablet or a truck-mounted terminal timestamp each check, require an answer to every item, and can be linked to operator access control so that a truck with a failed critical item cannot be started until a supervisor clears it. Detection systems, cameras and alarms fitted to the truck belong on the checklist too. See the forklift inspection checklist.