Pre-Shift Inspections
All industrial equipment vehicles; forklift trucks, skid steer loaders, aerial work platforms, etc., must be given a visual inspection and operational or functional test by the operator at the beginning of each work shift in order to verify that there are no defects that would affect safe operation of the equipment.
The Pre-Shift Inspection requirement for forklift trucks is detailed in both the OSHA Standard 1910.178 and the ANSI Standard B56.1.
For forklift trucks (Powered Industrial Trucks), the OSHA Standard 1910.178(q)(7) states:
"Industrial trucks shall be examined before being placed in service, and shall not be placed in service if the examination shows any condition adversely affecting the safety of the vehicle. Such examination shall be made at least daily. Where industrial trucks are used on a round-the-clock basis, they shall be examined after each shift. Defects when found shall be immediately reported and corrected."