Federal OSHA requires powered equipment to be checked before it goes to work, and the rule changes with the machine. Forklifts are examined at least daily before being placed in service, and after each shift on round-the-clock operations. Construction cranes get a visual inspection by a competent person each shift. Aerial lift controls are tested each day before use. Jobsite vehicles are checked at the beginning of each shift. These checks are mandatory even where no written record is. Unsafe equipment stays out of service until repaired.
“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.”
29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7)
There is no single OSHA pre-operation rule. Each equipment type has its own standard, its own timing, and its own record rules. Start by finding the machine.
| Equipment | Federal rule | Check required? When it is due | Who the rule names | Written record of the check (federal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forklifts and other powered industrial trucks (general industry) | 29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7) | Yes. Before being placed in service, at least daily. After each shift on round-the-clock operations. | No inspector named. Operators are trained on any inspection they will perform. | Not required. The check itself is required. |
| Forklifts on construction sites | 29 CFR 1926.602(c)(1)(vi) | Inspection requirements of ANSI B56.1-1969 apply | Not named in 1926.602 | Not stated in 1926.602 |
| Cranes and derricks in construction | 29 CFR 1926.1412(d) | Begun before each shift the equipment is used, completed before or during that shift | Competent person | Not required for the shift check. Monthly and annual inspections are documented. |
| Overhead and gantry cranes (general industry) | 29 CFR 1910.179(j)(2) | Frequent inspection at daily to monthly intervals, with some items daily | Not named in (j)(2) | Monthly certification record for hooks and hoist chains |
| Boom-supported aerial lifts | 29 CFR 1926.453(b)(2)(i); 1910.67(c)(2)(i) | Lift controls tested each day before use | Authorized persons operate (construction). Trained persons operate (general industry). | Not stated |
| Scissor lifts (construction) | 29 CFR 1926.451(f)(3) | Before each work shift | Competent person | Not stated |
| Motor vehicles on an off-highway jobsite | 29 CFR 1926.601(b)(14) | Beginning of each shift | No inspector named | Not stated |
| Earthmoving equipment | 29 CFR 1926.20(b)(2) | Frequent and regular inspections | Competent persons designated by the employer | Not stated |
| Self-propelled mobile equipment at surface mines | 30 CFR 56.14100 (MSHA) | Before being placed in operation on that shift | Equipment operator | Uncorrected safety defects are recorded |
Every check in this table is required. The last column covers only whether federal rules require it to be written down. “Not stated” means the cited paragraph contains no documentation requirement. Other parts of the same standard, a state plan, or a manufacturer may still call for records.
What counts. Section 1910.178 covers fork trucks, tractors, platform lift trucks, motorized hand trucks, and other specialized industrial trucks powered by electric motors or internal combustion engines. It does not apply to vehicles intended primarily for earth moving or over-the-road hauling. 1910.178(a)(1)
Loaders with forks are not forklifts. OSHA has said the standard does not apply to earthmoving equipment even when it carries a fork attachment and is used to move material. Front end loaders and backhoe loaders are outside it. Skid steer equipment designed for earthmoving is outside it too. OSHA interpretation, October 21, 1999
When the examination is due. Before the truck is placed in service, at least daily. When trucks run around the clock, after each shift. A truck that is stored or not used every day does not need an examination until it is ready to be placed in service. 1910.178(q)(7)OSHA interpretation, March 3, 2005
Construction sites. Forklifts used in construction fall under 1926.602(c)(1)(vi), which adopts the inspection, testing, maintenance, and operation requirements of ANSI B56.1-1969. Operator training on construction sites follows the same rules as general industry. 1926.602(c)(1)(vi), (d)
The record OSHA does require. The daily examination is mandatory, but federal rules do not require it to be written down. Operator training is different. The employer certifies that each operator was trained and evaluated, with the operator’s name, the training date, the evaluation date, and who performed the training or evaluation. Each operator’s performance is evaluated at least once every three years. 1910.178(l)(4)(iii), (l)(6)
Construction cranes. Subpart CC covers power-operated equipment used in construction that can hoist, lower, and horizontally move a suspended load. That includes mobile, crawler, tower, articulating, and overhead and gantry cranes, among others. 1926.1400(a)
| Inspection | Who | When | Record | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shift | Competent person | Begun before each shift the equipment is used, completed before or during that shift | No documentation provision | 1926.1412(d) |
| Monthly | Competent person | Each month the equipment is in service, covering the shift items | Items checked, results, name and signature of the inspector, and date. Kept at least three months. | 1926.1412(e) |
| Annual | Qualified person | At least every 12 months | Kept at least 12 months | 1926.1412(f) |
What the shift inspection covers. It is a visual observation for apparent deficiencies. Items include air, hydraulic, and other pressurized lines; hydraulic fluid level; wire rope; electrical apparatus; level position before each shift and after each move and setup; and safety devices and operational aids. 1926.1412(d)(1)
When a deficiency is found. The competent person decides immediately whether it is a safety hazard. If it is, the equipment is taken out of service until the deficiency is corrected. A deficiency in a safety device or operational aid triggers the actions in 1926.1415 and 1926.1416 before the equipment is used. 1926.1412(d)(2), (d)(3)
General industry cranes. Overhead and gantry cranes in general industry follow 1910.179. Frequent inspections run at daily to monthly intervals. Operating mechanisms and air or hydraulic systems are checked daily. Hooks and hoist chains get a daily visual inspection and a monthly inspection with a certification record showing the date, the inspector’s signature, and an identifier. Crawler, locomotive, and truck cranes follow a similar frequent inspection scheme in 1910.180. 1910.179(j)(1), (j)(2)1910.180(d)
Slings and rigging. In general industry, each sling and its fastenings and attachments are inspected for damage or defects each day before use by a competent person designated by the employer. In construction, rigging equipment is inspected before use on each shift. Defective slings and rigging come out of service. 1910.184(d)1926.251(a)(1)
Boom-supported aerial lifts. Vehicle-mounted devices that raise workers above ground, including extensible boom platforms, aerial ladders, articulating boom platforms, and vertical towers, follow 1926.453 in construction and 1910.67 in general industry. Both rules use the same sentence: lift controls shall be tested each day prior to use to determine that such controls are in safe working condition. 1926.453(a)(1), (b)(2)(i)1910.67(c)(2)(i)
Who may operate. Only authorized persons in construction. Only trained persons in general industry. 1926.453(b)(2)(ii)1910.67(c)(2)(ii)
Before travel. The boom is inspected to confirm it is properly cradled and the outriggers are stowed. 1926.453(b)(2)(xii)
Scissor lifts. OSHA has said no provision addresses scissor lifts by name, but they meet the definition of a scaffold and are treated as mobile scaffolds. Scaffolds are inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each work shift and after any event that could affect structural integrity. 1926.451(f)(3)1926.452(w)OSHA interpretation, February 23, 2000
Jobsite motor vehicles. Section 1926.601 covers motor vehicles that operate within an off-highway jobsite not open to public traffic. It does not cover equipment regulated by 1926.602. Coverage turns on where the vehicle is operating, not on its type: the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission held in 2015 that the test is whether the vehicle is operating within an off-highway jobsite not open to public traffic. 1926.601(a)OSHRC, Lake Erie Construction, September 24, 2015
The beginning-of-shift check. All vehicles in use are checked at the beginning of each shift to confirm these items are in safe operating condition and free of apparent damage that could cause failure in use:
The check also extends to lights, reflectors, windshield wipers, defrosters, and fire extinguishers where the vehicle needs them. All defects are corrected before the vehicle is placed in service. 1926.601(b)(14)
Earthmoving equipment. Scrapers, loaders, crawler or wheel tractors, bulldozers, off-highway trucks, graders, agricultural and industrial tractors, and similar equipment fall under 1926.602(a). Excavators fall under 1926.602(b). Section 1926.602 sets seat belt, brake, alarm, and other equipment rules, but it contains no beginning-of-shift inspection clause. 1926.602(a)(1), (b)OSHA interpretation, May 9, 2006
The general duty that applies instead. Construction employers must run programs that provide for frequent and regular inspections of job sites, materials, and equipment by competent persons the employer designates. Equipment that does not comply with Part 1926 may not be used. It is tagged or its controls are locked to make it inoperable, or it is removed from its place of operation. 1926.20(b)(2), (b)(3)
The rule does not fix an interval for earthmoving equipment. A start of shift check using the 1926.601 list is a practical baseline, but it is a company standard, not a federal one.
Mining. At metal and nonmetal surface mines, MSHA requires the equipment operator to inspect self-propelled mobile equipment before placing it in operation on that shift. Safety defects are corrected in a timely manner. Equipment whose defects make continued operation hazardous is taken out of service, or tagged to prohibit use, until the defects are corrected. Safety defects not corrected immediately are reported to and recorded by the mine operator. 30 CFR 56.14100
A dump truck can fall under both agencies on the same day. OSHA has said end dump trucks that travel public highways between jobsites must meet all of 1926.601 once they enter an off-highway jobsite. On the highway, FMCSA rules govern. OSHA interpretation, July 3, 2007
| Point | OSHA jobsite vehicle check (1926.601) | DOT driver vehicle inspection report |
|---|---|---|
| Where it applies | Off-highway jobsite not open to public traffic | Commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce |
| Timing | Beginning of each shift | Report due at the completion of the day’s work |
| Paperwork | No documentation provision | Written report when a defect is found or reported |
| Defects | Corrected before the vehicle is placed in service | Safety defects repaired and certified before the next trip |
For the full DOT rule, see DVIR requirements under 49 CFR 396.11.
| Record | Federally required? | Retention | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily forklift examination | No. The examination itself is required. | Employer’s choice | OSHA interpretation, February 7, 2000 |
| Forklift operator training and evaluation certification | Yes | Not set in (l)(6) | 1910.178(l)(6) |
| Crane shift inspection | No documentation provision | None set | 1926.1412(d) |
| Crane monthly inspection | Yes | At least three months | 1926.1412(e)(3) |
| Crane annual inspection | Yes | At least 12 months | 1926.1412(f)(7) |
| Overhead crane hooks and hoist chains, monthly | Yes, a certification record | Not set in (j)(2) | 1910.179(j)(2) |
| Alloy steel chain sling, periodic | Yes, most recent month of thorough inspection | Most recent month | 1910.184(e)(3)(ii) |
| Aerial lift daily controls test | No documentation provision | None set | 1926.453(b)(2)(i) |
| Jobsite vehicle shift check | No documentation provision | None set | 1926.601(b)(14) |
| MSHA uncorrected safety defects | Yes | See 56.14100(d) | 30 CFR 56.14100(d) |
State plans. Many states run their own OSHA-approved plans, and a state plan can set rules beyond the federal minimum. Check your state plan before relying on the federal column.
A check with no record is hard to prove. A dated entry for each machine and shift shows the check happened, who performed it, what was found, and whether the machine was held out of service. It makes repeat defects visible, and on construction sites it serves as evidence of the “frequent and regular” inspections that 1926.20(b)(2) requires. None of that is required by the federal rules for daily checks. It is the clearest way to show they took place.
The examination is mandatory under 1910.178(q)(7). The paperwork is not: OSHA stated in a 2000 interpretation that the standard does not require documentation of a powered industrial truck examination, and that record retention is at the employer’s discretion. What federal rules do require on paper is the operator training and evaluation certification.
OSHA interpretation, February 7, 20001910.178(l)(6)OSHA has said a truck that is stored or not used every day does not require an examination until it is ready to be placed in service. OSHA also cautioned that a truck idle for a long period may need service or maintenance before returning to use.
OSHA interpretation, March 3, 2005Section 1926.601 states that its requirements do not apply to equipment covered by 1926.602, which includes bulldozers, loaders, scrapers, graders, and excavators. Inspection of that equipment rests on the frequent and regular inspection duty in 1926.20(b)(2).
1926.601(a)1926.602(a)(1)1926.20(b)(2)The shift inspection in 1926.1412(d) has no documentation provision. Documentation begins with the monthly inspection, which records the items checked, the results, the inspector’s name and signature, and the date.
1926.1412(d), (e)(3)OSHA has said the powered industrial truck standard does not apply to earthmoving equipment even when it has a fork attachment and is used for material handling. OSHA still recommends similar operator training.
OSHA interpretation, October 21, 1999All repairs are made by authorized personnel, and the truck stays out of service until it is restored to safe operating condition.
1910.178(p)(1), (q)(1)OSHA treats scissor lifts as mobile scaffolds, not as aerial lifts under 1926.453. The scaffold rule calls for a competent person to inspect for visible defects before each work shift.
OSHA interpretation, February 23, 20001926.451(f)(3)The examination text in 1910.178(q)(7) is unchanged. OSHA’s pending forklift rulemaking addressed design and construction references, not inspection, and it moved to the long-term list of OSHA’s 2026 regulatory agenda.
1910.178(q)(7)reginfo.gov, RIN 1218-AD26Use these criteria to evaluate any inspection tool for forklifts, cranes, lifts, or jobsite equipment. The first list comes from the rule text. The second covers features no rule requires but that make the rules easier to meet and prove.
To see how platforms differ on these points, compare forklift inspection software or compare heavy equipment inspection software.
DriverooDriveroo runs pre-operation checks for forklifts, power lift equipment, cranes, and jobsite machines in the same mobile app used for DOT inspections. See the Driveroo forklift inspection app for powered industrial trucks. The capabilities below map to the requirements and practices above.
| Requirement or practice | How Driveroo supports it |
|---|---|
| Equipment-specific workflows | A visual interface shows the actual asset and guides the operator to each inspection point. Prebuilt starting points cover excavators, loaders, cranes, dozers, graders, and mixers, and each inspection is configured to the customer’s equipment. |
| Guided, complete checks | Conditional logic guides operators step by step. Required photos and critical points must be completed before the operator moves on. |
| Operator training in the flow | Embedded micro-training and how-to instructions appear inside the inspection. An AI pre-briefing can open each inspection with coaching. |
| Open defects at the next check | Prior issues are recalled inside the current inspection. Open defects and their resolution can be delivered as a pre-briefing that the operator acknowledges and signs. |
| Operator identification | Captures the operator’s electronic signature on every inspection and shows it on the report. |
| Out-of-service hold | Sends alerts for out-of-service level defects. Any later inspection of that unit can open with a warning that it has an open out-of-service defect and should not be operated. |
| Unsafe condition alerts and defect reporting | Sends defects to maintenance as soon as the inspection is submitted, with alerts by severity, issue, or asset type. |
| Defect evidence | Captures photos, video, and voice notes with each defect. |
| Documented defect resolution | Converts issues into work orders that carry the inspection comments, images, and videos. The person who resolves each defect records the resolution in the app, linked to the original defect, with an audit trail from capture to resolution. |
| Preventive maintenance | Schedules and tracks maintenance by miles, hours, or dates. |
| Crane inspection records | Crane inspection reports show the items checked, the results, the inspector’s name and electronic signature, and the date. |
| Records | Records every completed inspection and stores reports online for as long as the employer chooses, with digital export or printing on request. |
| Scheduling and supervisor oversight | Schedules inspections to a set window and sends an alert when an inspection is not completed within it. Tracks inspection time and location. |
| Offline mode | Operators complete inspections offline, and records sync when the device reconnects. |
| Telematics integrations | Integrates with Samsara, Azuga, Motive, and Verizon Connect. |
Driveroo supports and documents pre-operation inspection workflows. Compliance with OSHA and MSHA standards remains the employer’s responsibility.
The inspection is required, but a written record of it is not. Under 29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7), a forklift must be examined at least daily before it is placed in service, and after each shift on round-the-clock operations. A 2000 OSHA interpretation states the standard does not require documentation of the examination, so how long to keep any records is the employer’s choice. OSHA does require a written certification that each forklift operator was trained and evaluated.
At least daily, before the truck is placed in service, under 29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7). Trucks used on a round-the-clock basis are examined after each shift. A truck that fails the examination is not placed in service until its defects are corrected.
No. OSHA stated in a 2005 interpretation that a powered industrial truck that is stored or not used every day does not need an examination until it is ready to be placed in service. OSHA added that a truck idle for long periods may need service or maintenance first.
A competent person. Under 29 CFR 1926.1412(d), the competent person begins a visual inspection before each shift the crane will be used and completes it before or during that shift. The employer may use the operator if the operator is competent. A deficiency that is a safety hazard takes the crane out of service until corrected.
No. The shift inspection in 29 CFR 1926.1412(d) has no documentation provision. The monthly inspection must be documented with the items checked, the results, the inspector’s name and signature, and the date, and kept for at least three months. The annual inspection record is kept for at least 12 months.
Construction earthmoving equipment such as bulldozers, loaders, scrapers, graders, and excavators falls under 29 CFR 1926.602, which has no beginning-of-shift inspection clause. Inspection rests on 29 CFR 1926.20(b)(2), which requires frequent and regular inspections of equipment by competent persons the employer designates.
Often both. On public highways, FMCSA rules apply. Once the truck enters an off-highway jobsite not open to public traffic, OSHA’s 29 CFR 1926.601 applies, including a check at the beginning of each shift of brakes, tires, horn, steering, coupling devices, seat belts, operating controls, and safety devices.
The lift controls must be tested each day before use to confirm they are in safe working condition, under 29 CFR 1926.453(b)(2)(i) in construction and 29 CFR 1910.67(c)(2)(i) in general industry. Only authorized persons may operate a boom lift in construction. Scissor lifts are treated as scaffolds and are inspected by a competent person before each work shift.
It stays out of service until repaired. A forklift with a condition adversely affecting safety is not placed in service, and repairs are made by authorized personnel. A crane deficiency that is a safety hazard takes the crane out of service until corrected. On construction sites, unsafe equipment is tagged, locked out at the controls, or removed.
A regulation-ready inspection app runs an equipment-specific workflow for each machine, times each check to its rule, holds unsafe equipment out of service, routes defects for correction, limits forklift repairs to authorized personnel, and keeps crane monthly and annual records with the inspector’s signature for three and 12 months. Best practice adds unsafe condition alerts so a machine can be restricted at once, documented defect resolution, a record of every check, photo evidence, missed-check alerts, and offline mode.
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