Daily Pre-Operation Inspection

Start with the truck shut down and do a visual and hands-on pass:

• Tires — condition, pressure on pneumatics, no chunks missing or splits.
• Forks — no cracks, bends, or excessive wear at the heel; positioning locks work.
• Mast and chains — no damaged or kinked chains, no leaks, guards in place.
• Overhead guard and load backrest — present, not bent or cracked.
• Hydraulic hoses, fittings, and the floor under the truck — no leaks or puddles.
• Fluid levels — engine oil, coolant, hydraulic fluid; fuel or battery charge.
• Data plate and warning decals — present and legible.
• LP tank (if fitted) — secure, hose and fittings sound, no gas smell.

With the truck running, test the systems that keep it under control:

• Service brake and parking brake — hold and stop firmly.
• Steering — smooth, no excessive play.
• Horn — works (it's your main warning to pedestrians).
• Lights and backup alarm — working if fitted.
• Lift, lower, and tilt controls — smooth, no drift or grabbing.
• Seat belt — latches and retracts.
• Gauges and warning lights — reading normal.

If anything on the check fails, the truck comes out of service until it's fixed by authorized personnel. Don't "nurse it through the shift" — a soft brake or a dead horn is exactly what leads to a struck-by or a runaway.

Report defects on the daily inspection form so there's a record and the next operator knows the truck's history. Repairs get done by qualified people, and the fix gets noted before the truck goes back on the floor.