According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), approximately 100,000 industrial injuries are caused by forklifts each year. A third of these injuries are considered severe, resulting in employees` inability to work.

Keeping your forklift in good working order is essential to prevent expensive repairs. It is necessary to implement and adhere to OSHA rules and industry best practices to operate a forklift safely.

Forklift operators and employers often ask us how often they should inspect the forklifts they use. The pre-operational check aids the operators in detecting problems in the equipment to keep the truck`s operational capabilities at their best.

Let`s now discuss how often a forklift operator should conduct an inspection.

How Often Does a Forklift Have to Be Inspected?

Heavy machinery requires professionalism and attention. Every operator must adhere to the OSHA federal mandates, even though each company has its own set of rules and expectations.

We are often asked about forklift inspections and the frequency with which they should be done.

OSHA makes it quite clear that no matter how a facility`s shifts are carried out, an inspection is always required.

Facilities that are open 24/7 must be inspected before each shift begins.

Businesses that operate within a typical business day need to have a daily or shift-by-shift inspection.

OSHA requires that forklifts be inspected at least once daily to ensure safe operating conditions. Forklifts that are used continuously must be inspected before and after every shift. It is OSHA`s 1910.178 (q) (7) standard for powered industrial trucks.