Forklift Inspection Books - 25 Checklists

Forklift truck inspections are an essential part of workplace safety, helping to identify potential defects and maintenance issues at an early stage, before they develop into serious, costly, or dangerous failures. Regular pre-use inspections can significantly reduce the risk of accidents, unplanned downtime, and expensive repairs. This comprehensive forklift inspection checklist has been developed in accordance with UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE) guidance and is designed to support employers in meeting their legal obligations under PUWER 1998 (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations) and LOLER 1998 (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations).

The checklists are structured to allow forklift operators to carry out thorough pre-use inspections at the start of each shift, ensuring that all safety-critical components and mechanical systems are checked systematically. By performing these checks regularly, operators can quickly identify faults, wear, or damage that could compromise the safe operation of the forklift, thereby reducing the risk of workplace incidents and costly equipment failures.

To support the inspection process, attaching a Good to Go Safety status tag to the forklift provides a highly visible reminder that a pre-use inspection must be completed before the equipment is operated. Once the inspection is carried out, the completed checklist can be placed inside the status tag, clearly displaying the date, results, and any notes for supervisors and colleagues. This helps maintain accountability, ensures everyone is aware of the equipment?s condition, and prevents the risk of uninspected forklifts being used on site.

At the start of each shift, forklift operators should carefully inspect the truck, documenting any findings in the checklist. Any defect, mechanical issue, or damage that could impact safe operation must be reported immediately to a supervisor and resolved before the forklift is returned to service. This process ensures full compliance with HSE ACOP L117 (Rider-operated lift trucks) and demonstrates a proactive approach to workplace safety.

Each forklift inspection book contains 25 individual checklists covering all essential safety and mechanical components, including brakes, steering, forks, hydraulics, mast and carriage assembly, safety devices, and overall operational condition. Duplicate carbon copies of each completed checklist are retained in the book for management records, creating a permanent audit trail for inspections and compliance purposes. The book also provides practical guidance notes to assist operators, highlighting key points to check and common issues to look out for during each inspection.

Using these inspection books consistently ensures that forklift operations are carried out safely and efficiently, helping businesses to meet legal obligations, reduce maintenance costs, prevent accidents, and protect both employees and equipment. By embedding a culture of regular checks and clear reporting, employers can maintain high safety standards while demonstrating compliance with PUWER, LOLER, and HSE requirements.