Conduct a daily forklift pre-use inspection
A plain-language checklist structure for making pre-use checks visible, recorded and actionable.
- Published: 18 August 2026
- Practical guide
- Warehouse operations
Use a repeatable pre-use inspection to spot visible forklift defects before the first movement of the shift. The useful answer depends on the local layout, the goods and the people who use the process, so this guide starts with observations that can be checked on site.
Walk around before starting
A useful inspection begins with the parked machine. Look at the tyres, forks, mast, guards, visible leaks and warning markings. The aim is to notice a change from the expected condition before the vehicle enters a shared work area.
Test the controls in a safe place
After the visual pass, use the designated check area to confirm the controls, horn, lights, steering and braking response. Follow the equipment and workplace procedure for the exact sequence. Do not turn a checklist into permission to operate a machine with an unresolved defect.
Close the loop
Record the result, identify the machine and make the next action clear. If a defect affects safe use, isolate the vehicle under the local procedure and tell the responsible person. A signed sheet without a response path is only an archive.