Checklist template

Forklift and powered equipment safety for big box stores

A ready-to-use checklist with 119 items in 6 sections, covering Operator certification, Pre-use checks, Operating rules, Pedestrian safety, Charging and fuelling, Records. Use it as-is in Bindy, or adapt it to your own standards in minutes.

  • 6 Sections
  • 119 Items
  • 104 Yes / No checks
  • 6 Scored ratings
  • 134 Points

Use this template How audits work

1. Operator certification 17 items

  1. The store keeps a current list of employees certified on each type of powered equipment Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Certification is specific to the equipment type (sit-down forklift, reach truck, order picker, electric pallet jack, scissor lift) Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Each operator seen during the visit appears on the certified list for the equipment being driven Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Operators carry or wear the license or badge required by company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Each certification includes a hands-on evaluation signed by the trainer Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Operators meet the minimum age required by local regulation Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Recertification was completed within the period required by local regulation or company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Operators involved in a collision or near miss were retrained before driving again Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Operators transferred from another store were evaluated on this store's equipment before driving Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Seasonal garden center and lumber yard employees are certified before they operate any equipment Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Keys or access codes are issued only to certified operators Yes / No 1 pt
  12. No key is left in unattended equipment Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Vendors and contractors do not operate store equipment Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Operators asked could state the rated capacity of the truck they drive Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Certified operators on the store list Number
  16. Operators whose certification is past due Number
  17. Operator certification status Rating
    • Every operator current for the equipment driven 5 pts
    • Records incomplete, operators trained 3 pts
    • Uncertified operators driving 1 pt

2. Pre-use checks 23 items

  1. A pre-use checklist is completed for each truck before its first use on each shift Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Today's checklist was completed for every truck in use during the visit Yes / No 1 pt
  3. The checklist is signed with the operator's name and the truck number Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Forks are free of cracks and bends Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Lift chains show no broken links or rust Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Hydraulic hoses and cylinders show no leaks Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Tires are free of chunking and flat spots Yes / No 1 pt
  8. The horn works Yes / No 1 pt
  9. The reverse alarm or blue spotter light works Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Headlights and the warning beacon work Yes / No 1 pt
  11. The service brake stops the truck smoothly when tested at walking pace Yes / No 1 pt
  12. The parking brake holds the truck Yes / No 1 pt
  13. The seat belt latches and is free of cuts Yes / No 1 pt
  14. The overhead guard is undamaged Yes / No 1 pt
  15. The load backrest is in place Yes / No 1 pt
  16. The data plate is legible and matches the attachments fitted Yes / No 1 pt
  17. The operator presence control (seat switch or dead-man pedal) stops travel when released Yes / No 1 pt
  18. Order picker harnesses and lanyards are free of cuts, frays and damaged stitching Yes / No 1 pt
  19. The order picker platform gates or side rails latch Yes / No 1 pt
  20. Scissor lift guardrails and the entry chain or gate are in place Yes / No 1 pt
  21. Equipment that fails a check is tagged out, with the key removed Yes / No 1 pt
  22. Trucks tagged out of service at the time of the visit Number
  23. Pre-use checks Rating
    • Done every shift and defects acted on 5 pts
    • Done but defects not followed up 3 pts
    • Not done or filled in without checking 1 pt

3. Operating rules 24 items

  1. Operators wear the seat belt on sit-down forklifts Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Operators on order pickers are tied off with a harness and lanyard Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Trucks travel with the forks lowered to just above the floor Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Loads are tilted back against the backrest while traveling Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Operators drive in reverse when the load blocks the forward view Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Trucks travel at walking pace inside the store Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Operators stop and sound the horn at aisle ends, doorways and blind corners Yes / No 1 pt
  8. No one rides on the forks or as a passenger Yes / No 1 pt
  9. No one is lifted on the forks or on a pallet Yes / No 1 pt
  10. No one stands or walks under raised forks Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Loads do not exceed the capacity on the data plate Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Pallets with broken boards are not lifted to overhead racking Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Loads placed in overhead racking are stretch-wrapped or banded Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Pallets in overhead racking sit square on both beams Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Long loads (lumber, pipe, rolled carpet) are carried low and balanced Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Parked trucks have the forks flat on the floor Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Parked trucks have the controls in neutral and the parking brake set Yes / No 1 pt
  18. Trucks are not parked in front of exits, fire extinguishers or electrical panels Yes / No 1 pt
  19. Operators keep hands and feet inside the truck while moving Yes / No 1 pt
  20. Operators do not use a phone or wear earbuds while operating Yes / No 1 pt
  21. The trailer is chocked or locked to the dock before a truck drives in Yes / No 1 pt
  22. Propane and other engine-powered trucks are not left idling inside the building Yes / No 1 pt
  23. Scissor lifts are moved only with the platform lowered Yes / No 1 pt
  24. Operating practices observed Rating
    • Rules followed by every operator seen 5 pts
    • Minor lapses 3 pts
    • Unsafe operation observed 1 pt

4. Pedestrian safety 18 items

  1. The aisle is closed at both ends with gates or barriers before a truck works in it during opening hours Yes / No 1 pt
  2. The aisle on the far side of the rack is closed when pallets are lifted or lowered overhead Yes / No 1 pt
  3. A spotter walks with the truck whenever it moves on the sales floor during opening hours Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Spotters wear a high-visibility vest Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Spotters asked knew to stop the operator if a customer enters the closed aisle Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Aisle gates or barriers carry a sign telling customers that the aisle is closed Yes / No 1 pt
  7. The freight schedule places overhead pallet moves before opening or after closing Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Employees working near trucks in the receiving area wear a high-visibility vest Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Pedestrian walkways in the receiving area are marked on the floor Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Convex mirrors are in place at blind corners in receiving Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Strip curtains and swing doors on truck routes have clear vision panels Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Trucks working in the outdoor garden center or lumber yard use a spotter when customers are present Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Loading customer vehicles by forklift takes place in a marked loading zone Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Customers stand clear of the vehicle while it is loaded by forklift Yes / No 1 pt
  15. The warning beacon or blue light is on whenever a truck moves Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Aisle closures observed during the visit Number
  17. Aisle closures observed with gates at both ends and a spotter Number
  18. Separation of trucks and pedestrians observed Rating
    • Aisles closed and spotters used every time 5 pts
    • Spotter used, aisle not fully closed 3 pts
    • Trucks moving among customers 1 pt

5. Charging and fuelling 19 items

  1. The battery charging area is marked and kept clear of stock Yes / No 1 pt
  2. "No smoking" signs are posted at the charging area Yes / No 1 pt
  3. "No smoking" signs are posted at the propane cylinder storage Yes / No 1 pt
  4. An eyewash station is at the battery charging area, with nothing blocking the way to it Yes / No 1 pt
  5. The eyewash station ran clear when tested during the visit Yes / No 1 pt
  6. A neutralizing spill kit for battery acid is at the charging area Yes / No 1 pt
  7. A fire extinguisher is mounted at the charging area Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Charger cables and connectors are free of cuts and burn marks Yes / No 1 pt
  9. The charger is switched off before a battery is connected or disconnected Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Employees watering batteries wear a face shield, gloves and an apron Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Vents and exhaust fans at the charging area are unobstructed Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Propane cylinders are stored outdoors in a locked cage Yes / No 1 pt
  13. The propane cage is protected from vehicle impact by bollards or a curb Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Full and empty propane cylinders are separated and labeled Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Propane cylinders are changed outdoors or in the designated ventilated area Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Employees changing a propane cylinder wear gloves and eye protection Yes / No 1 pt
  17. The cylinder is seated on its locating pin with the relief valve up Yes / No 1 pt
  18. Connections are checked for leaks after each cylinder change Yes / No 1 pt
  19. Charging and fuelling area Rating
    • Equipped, clean and used correctly 5 pts
    • Equipment present, practices inconsistent 3 pts
    • Missing safety equipment or unsafe practice 1 pt

6. Records 18 items

  1. Pre-use checklists are kept for the period set by company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Each truck has a maintenance file with the service provider's reports Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Planned maintenance was completed on the schedule set by the manufacturer or the service contract Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Date of the last planned maintenance visit Date
  5. Repairs recommended on the last service report have been completed Yes / No 1 pt
  6. The maintenance file shows forks and lift chains inspected by the service provider at the interval set by the manufacturer or local regulation Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Order picker harnesses and lanyards have a documented inspection within the period set by the manufacturer Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Scissor lifts carry a current inspection tag from the service provider Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Tagged-out equipment is recorded with the date, the defect and the date of return to service Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Collisions with racking, doors or product are reported, with a written report on file Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Racking struck by a truck was inspected before it was reloaded Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Near misses involving pedestrians are recorded Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Truck incidents and near misses recorded in the last 12 months Number
  14. The store manager reviews truck incidents with the operators Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Operator observations by a manager are documented on the schedule set by company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Name of the store manager Short text
  17. Overall powered equipment safety Rating
    • Certified operators, checked trucks and closed aisles throughout 5 pts
    • Safe operation, gaps in records 3 pts
    • Unsafe operation or uncertified operator found 1 pt
  18. Corrective actions required Comments

About this template

This checklist is part of the Bindy template library. Yes / No checks score 1 point when met; ratings score the points shown for each option. The overall score is the percentage of points earned, with N/A answers excluded. In Bindy you can add photos, assign corrective actions, require sign-off and compare results across sites.

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