Forklift Truck Inspections

Forklift Truck Inspections – Protect Your Team, Assets, and Business

Why Forklift Truck Inspections are Non-Negotiable

Forklift trucks are essential workhorses across hundreds of sectors, moving goods efficiently through warehouses, yards, factories, and construction sites. However, they also pose significant safety risks if not routinely inspected and maintained. In the UK, moving vehicles, including forklifts, are responsible for 1 in 5 workplace fatalities—accounting for about 27 deaths and over 1,500 injuries every year. Many of these tragic incidents are avoidable with robust, daily forklift truck inspections.

Whether termed pre-use, pre-shift, or daily checks, these routine inspections form the foundation of any safe system of work involving forklift operations. They serve as your frontline defence—spotting issues before they escalate into catastrophic breakdowns, costly repairs, or, worst of all, life-changing accidents.

Optimise Safety and Compliance with Leading Inspection Products

At HSE Store, we specialise in supplying the complete range of forklift truck inspection products from Good to Go Safety, offering you a simple, effective, and fully auditable approach to equipment safety:

• Forklift Safety Checklists & Check Books: Concise, easy-to-use inspection books aligned with PUWER, LOLER, HSE, and FLTA requirements. Each checklist includes a carbonless duplicate sheet for secure management records and audit trails.

• Status Tags: Highly visible tags affixed to forklift entry points, instantly displaying whether a truck is safe for operation or should be taken out of service. “Do Not Use” warnings are clear until checks are complete.

• Tamper Evident Seals: Ensure the authenticity of checklists and tags, reducing the risk of fraudulent or missed inspections.

• Information Posters: Strategic reminders placed around your site to encourage best practice and ensure every operator is reminded at the start of each shift.

• Protective Wallets & Storage Boxes: Keep all documentation secure, clean, and easily accessible for operators and auditors.

Using these tools ensures that your forklift fleet is inspected properly, every time, with up-to-date records ready for compliance checks or incident investigations.

The Essential Benefits of Forklift Truck Inspections

Implementing a structured inspection regime with Good to Go Safety products delivers advantages beyond basic compliance:

• Prevents Accidents: Spot wear, damage, leaks, or faulty systems before they pose a risk.

• Minimises Downtime: Early identification of issues reduces breakdowns, protecting productivity.

• Demonstrates Compliance: Evidences adherence to statutory requirements outlined by PUWER and LOLER.

• Empowers Operators: Puts responsibility into the operator’s hands, building safety awareness and engagement.

• Enhances Reputation & Lowers Costs: Fewer incidents mean improved morale, a safer workplace, and lower insurance premiums.

Forklift inspections supplement the annual “Thorough Examination” and catch issues that might develop between those intervals, reducing expensive surprises.

Industries and Roles That Rely on Forklift Inspections

Forklift truck inspections are vital across industries such as:

• Warehousing and Logistics

• Manufacturing and Engineering

• Retail and Distribution Centres

• Construction, Civil Engineering, and Utilities

• Agriculture and Food Processing

Key users and stakeholders include:

• Forklift Operators/Drivers: Responsible for daily checks before and during use.

• Supervisors and Managers: Ensure inspection routines are followed, records are accurate, and defects are acted upon.

• Health & Safety Advisors: Audit procedures, advise on compliance, and investigate incidents.

• Maintenance Teams: Use inspection feedback to prioritise repairs and planned servicing.

• Site Directors and Owners: Remain compliant, protect staff, and reduce operational risk.

How Good to Go Safety Improves your Forklift Management

The biggest challenge in sustaining a safe inspection regime is ensuring checks are done properly and on time. Good to Go Safety’s transparent tagging and checklist system tackles this head-on:

• The status tag is attached to the cab entry point—drivers or passers-by can instantly see whether a daily inspection has been completed.

• Only when a new checklist is inserted does the “Do Not Use” message disappear, providing visual confirmation for everyone on site.

• Duplicated records are automatically created and retained for your management file—a vital safeguard for audits or investigations.

• Posters and supporting materials keep awareness high and reinforce expectations every day.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How often should forklift truck inspections take place?
A daily pre-use inspection should be carried out at the beginning of each shift and whenever a different operator takes control. This is in addition to the required annual “Thorough Examination”.

2. Who is responsible for carrying out forklift inspections?
Operators should be trained to perform and document inspections at the start of each shift, while supervisors oversee records and corrective actions.

3. What happens if a defect is discovered during an inspection?
If any safety-critical issue is found, the forklift should be clearly tagged “Do Not Use”, and the issue should be reported and fixed before the truck is used again.

4. What records are required to show compliance?
Completed checklists must be kept on file until the next annual Thorough Examination. Good to Go Safety check books automatically create duplicate copies for audit trails.

5. Why use dedicated inspection products over generic forms?
Purpose-designed checklists ensure nothing is missed, while status tags and posters keep safety top of mind. These tools provide visible, auditable proof of compliance and good practice for HSE, insurers, and your workforce.

Invest in HSE Store’s Forklift Truck Inspection solutions today—keeping your people safe, your operations running, and your business fully compliant.