How long is an employer required to keep forklift daily inspection sheets?

Federal OSHA does not require that forklift inspections be documented. However, using an inspection checklist, either written or electronic, is a good idea for two reasons:

1. Ensures that all essential features of the vehicle are inspected routinely, and
2. Provides evidence to an OSHA inspector that the vehicles are being inspected as required by 1910.178(q)(7)

Because daily inspection sheets are not required by OSHA, you should keep them according to whichever system works best in your company. Also, it is a good idea to write, as part of your forklift program, a company policy stating something like "We retain six months of daily forklift inspection sheets." That way, you can keep whatever amount you decide, and it also will be proof to OSHA that your company is inspecting the vehicles as required, without retaining a huge stack of papers.

Note that some state programs might require retention. For example, in California, the daily inspection log can be considered a record of a scheduled inspection to identify unsafe conditions. In California, such records must be retained for one year under Cal/OSHA regulation 3203(b).