How long must you keep forklift daily inspection records?

Federal OSHA’s powered industrial truck standard does not require that you keep a written record of the daily inspections. The regulation requires that an inspection be made “at least daily,” or “after each shift” when the vehicle is being used around the clock. Maintaining copies of your inspection logs is a good way to document that the required inspections are occurring—both for your company records and for OSHA, should you have an inspection.

Therefore, because it is not a regulatory requirement, you may keep inspection records for any time period that you specify. Document the length of time your company decides to keep the inspection records in your written safety and health program, forklift program, or company policy, whichever you use (e.g., “We retain forklift inspection forms for three months”). This will demonstrate to OSHA that your forklift operators perform the daily inspections as required in 1910.178(q)(7).