Daily Telehandler Inspection Checklist: What to Check Before Work
A completed form does not automatically mean a telehandler is ready for work. A daily telehandler inspection checklist should support a clear go-or-no-go decision, not become a box-ticking exercise.
It is not always obvious which parts to check or what to do when you find a defect. A consistent pre-use inspection helps you spot issues before operating, report them clearly and keep a record of checks and actions. If you find a fault that could affect safe operation, do not use the machine until it has been assessed and dealt with.
This guide sets out the main areas to inspect before work, from the tyres and attachments to the cab and controls. It also explains how to record findings and respond when something is not right. Use the checklist alongside the telehandler manufacturer’s instructions, not as a replacement for them, because checks and requirements can vary between machines.
Table of Contents
What a daily telehandler inspection checklist should cover before work
A daily pre-use inspection is a planned check of a telehandler’s visible condition and basic operation before work begins. A daily telehandler inspection checklist gives you a consistent prompt for those checks, helping you identify and report defects before deciding whether the machine is ready to use.
Telehandlers combine a vehicle with an extending boom and lifting attachments. The Telescopic handler overview provides a useful introduction to the machine and its applications. For the inspection itself, your operator’s manual is the essential reference: controls, attachments and checks can vary between machines.
Who completes the check, and when?
The operator should complete the check in line with site procedures and the manufacturer’s instructions. Carry it out before first use, and repeat relevant checks after a change in condition when site procedures require it. If another person operates the machine later, follow your site’s process for confirming its condition and recording any new findings.
Before starting, find out who receives defect reports. This may be a supervisor, site manager or the person named in your organisation’s reporting procedure. Knowing the reporting route helps ensure a concern is assessed rather than overlooked.
What a checklist can and cannot tell you
A checklist helps you make consistent observations. It does not certify every aspect of a telehandler’s condition or replace a competent assessment where one is required. If an item is unclear or a check cannot be completed safely, stop and ask for guidance rather than assuming the machine is ready.
Use the checklist alongside the manual and site procedures. The machine type and fitted attachment can affect what you need to inspect, so a generic form may not cover every machine-specific point. Check that the form matches the machine and attachment you are using.
Keep daily checks distinct from routine maintenance and any separately required examination. Under the UK framework, PUWER covers work equipment and its safe condition, while LOLER applies to lifting equipment and requires thorough examinations by a competent person. A daily pre-use check is not a substitute for a LOLER thorough examination. Follow the relevant examination records and site arrangements as well as completing the operator’s check.
Walkaround checks: tyres, structure, forks and visible leaks
Walk around the telehandler in a consistent order, using the operator’s manual and site procedures to guide each check. Keep the machine in the condition specified for inspection, and do not reach into moving parts or attempt a repair during the walkaround. The aim is to notice visible changes, not diagnose faults.
A practical route is to start at one side, continue around the front and opposite side, then check the rear and fitted attachment. Look closely at each area rather than relying on a quick glance. Note damage, missing or loose parts, signs of unusual wear and any fluid beneath or on the machine. If a checklist item does not match the telehandler in front of you, refer to the machine-specific instructions.
Check the frame, tyres and fluid levels
Inspect the chassis, guards, steps, handholds and other visible structural parts for cracks, bending, impact damage or parts that appear loose or absent. Check the tyres and wheels for visible cuts, bulges, damage or other concerns identified in the manufacturer’s guidance. Do not assume a tyre is acceptable just because it appears inflated.
Look for signs of leaking fluid around the machine and beneath it. Check fluid levels only if the manual describes how and when to do so, and compare readings with the limits it gives. Record and report leaks or readings outside those limits. Do not top up fluids or investigate a suspected fault unless you are authorised and following the correct procedure.
Inspect forks and fitted attachments
Check the forks for visible damage, excessive wear or a position that does not match the manufacturer’s instructions. Look over the attachment and its visible connection points for damage or anything that appears loose. Before work, confirm that the fitted attachment is secured using the machine-specific procedure and is suitable for the planned task.
Stop if you find damage, think an attachment may not be secure or are unsure how to check it. Report the concern through the site’s process and do not use the machine until the next steps are clear. A useful written note describes what you saw and where, rather than simply saying “faulty”.
Use the same walkaround each time, then record anything that needs follow-up. A consistent route makes it easier to notice changes and helps avoid missed checks. If you need a machine for a project, Rocket Rentals supplies telehandler hire for self-drive hire across the UK.
Cab and functional checks: controls, lights and safety equipment
Once the exterior walkaround is complete, move to the cab and checks that involve operating the telehandler. Follow the operator’s manual and site procedures throughout. Carry out functional checks in a suitable, controlled area, clear of people and obstacles. Do not start, move or operate the machine simply to test a feature unless the manual explains how to do so safely.
A daily telehandler inspection checklist can prompt you to check the cab, controls, lights and fitted safety equipment, but the machine’s instructions determine the correct method. Features vary between machines, so do not assume every control or warning device works in the same way.
Check the cab and operator controls
Before getting in, look at the access steps, handholds and cab door for visible damage or anything that could make access difficult. Inside, check that dirt or objects are not obstructing your view. Clean windows and mirrors as needed, and adjust the mirrors in line with site procedures so you have the visibility required for the task.
Follow the manual to check the controls, displays and warning indicators. Confirm that controls appear intact and that indicators behave as the instructions describe. Do not ignore, reset or bypass a warning just to continue the check. If a warning appears unexpectedly, or you cannot tell whether a control is operating correctly, record and report it before the machine is put to work.
Confirm lights and safety equipment are working
Check the lights and warning devices fitted to that machine, using the manufacturer’s stated method. This may involve asking someone to confirm what they can see, if site procedures allow and it can be done safely. Do not assume a feature is fitted if it is absent, or test equipment in a way the manual does not describe.
Inspect the seat belt and any other fitted safety equipment for visible damage, secure attachment and function as instructed. Check that the belt fastens and releases as intended. Missing, damaged or non-functioning equipment is a reportable concern, not something to work around.
Stop and report: if a check fails, a warning remains unexplained or you are unsure what the result means.
Don’t improvise: follow the manual and site reporting procedure rather than attempting an unauthorised fix or continuing with the task.
Record what you observed and who you told, following your site’s process. A clear report helps the responsible person decide what needs to happen before the telehandler is used.
How to respond to inspection findings and operate
A completed form is not clearance to operate. Treat each finding as information that needs a suitable response, and follow your site’s reporting process before deciding whether the telehandler can be used.
What should you do if you find a defect?
If a fault could affect safe operation, pause the check and do not use the machine. Make sure others know it should not be operated, following the site’s procedure for isolating or identifying equipment. Contact the person responsible for plant or safety on site and wait for clear guidance.
For each finding, record the details your site requires. A useful report identifies the component, describes what you observed, gives the time and states who you notified. For example, note the location of a visible leak or which warning indicator appeared, rather than writing only “problem”. Avoid guessing at the cause.
Some observations may not appear to prevent immediate use, but they still need recording and reporting so the responsible person can assess them. Do not decide on your own that a defect is minor or safe to ignore. If you are uncertain, stop and ask.
Pause: stop the check or operation if there may be a safety concern.
Record: describe what you found clearly and factually.
Report: notify the designated site contact and follow their instructions.
Wait: do not restart or return the machine to use until the next steps are confirmed.
Do not attempt repairs unless you are authorised and competent to do so under the relevant procedure. An unauthorised adjustment can create further risk or hide the original fault.
Does a daily checklist replace other inspections?
No. A daily telehandler inspection checklist helps prompt consistent pre-use observations, but it does not replace the manufacturer’s instructions, routine maintenance or any other inspection or examination that applies to the machine and its use. A filled-in form records that checks were made; it does not certify every aspect of the machine’s condition.
Requirements can depend on the equipment, its use and the fitted attachment. Follow current HSE guidance, site rules and the operator’s manual, and check with the responsible person if you are unsure which additional checks or records apply. Keep the relevant examination information separate from the daily check record, in line with your site process.
If you are arranging self-drive equipment for a project, you can enquire about telehandler hire from Rocket Rentals.
Record the daily telehandler inspection and keep the machine ready
A clear inspection record helps the next operator and site supervisor understand what was checked, what was found and whether any action is outstanding. Use your employer’s or site’s approved form, whether digital or paper, and follow the instructions for submitting and retaining it. Do not treat a completed form as proof that the machine is safe if a concern remains unresolved.
Make inspection records clear and useful
Record the machine identification, date, operator, findings and actions taken, using the fields on the approved form. Be brief but specific. Instead of writing “checked” or “fine”, describe what you observed and where. If there is a defect, note who you notified and any next steps you were given.
Keep entries factual. Do not guess at the cause of a fault or mark an item as passed if you could not check it. Report defects through the site’s approved route and retain records as your employer or site instructs. Follow their process for correcting or adding information, rather than leaving an unclear entry for another operator to interpret.
Prepare for telehandler hire and the next shift
For hired equipment, confirm through the relevant hire and site processes that the telehandler and fitted attachment suit the planned task. Make sure operators know where to find the machine instructions, which form to use and who receives defect reports. A handover should make the machine’s status clear, including any reported concern and whether it has been resolved or still needs attention.
When a shift changes, pass on outstanding findings directly as well as recording them. A written note can be missed or misunderstood; a clear handover gives the next operator and supervisor a chance to confirm the machine’s status before use. Keep the daily telehandler inspection checklist and reporting route easy for operators to find, so checks and follow-up are not left to memory.
Good records support consistent decisions and help site teams manage equipment readiness. If you are planning a project that needs self-drive equipment, explore Rocket Rentals’ telehandler hire as part of your plant hire planning.
Make pre-use checks part of every shift
A clear daily telehandler inspection checklist helps you check the machine in a consistent order, record what you find and pass concerns to the right person. Use it with the manufacturer’s instructions and site procedures, not instead of them.
Look over the machine’s visible condition, then carry out cab and functional checks as directed. If a fault could affect safe operation, or you are unsure about a result, stop and report it before use. Clear records and handovers help the next operator understand the machine’s status and support better equipment readiness.
Rocket Rentals includes telehandler hire in its plant and machinery hire range. Confirm machine-specific checks and procedures using the relevant instructions and site contacts. If you are planning a project, explore telehandler hire from Rocket Rentals as a self-drive option.
With a steady check and clear reporting, you can start each shift with a better understanding of the equipment in front of you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should be included in a daily telehandler inspection checklist?
A daily telehandler inspection checklist should prompt you to check the machine’s visible condition and basic operation before work. Include the chassis, tyres and wheels, forks or fitted attachment, visible fluid leaks, cab access and visibility, controls, displays, lights, warning devices and fitted safety equipment. Use the manufacturer’s manual and site form to confirm the checks and methods for that machine, then record findings and actions taken.
Who should carry out a telehandler pre-use inspection?
The operator should carry out the pre-use inspection, following the machine’s instructions and site procedures. Operators also need to be trained, competent and authorised to use the telehandler. If a check is unclear or you are unsure how to complete it safely, ask the site supervisor or designated plant contact for guidance. Do not treat another operator’s earlier check as a substitute for following your site’s process before use.
Do you need to inspect a telehandler every day?
Yes. Under PUWER, daily pre-use checks by the operator are required for work equipment such as telehandlers. Carry out the check before use and record it in line with your employer’s or site’s procedure. Checks help identify defects, but they do not replace routine maintenance or other inspections that may apply. Follow current HSE guidance, site requirements and the machine’s manual for the checks relevant to your equipment and its use.
What should you do if you find a defect during a telehandler inspection?
If a defect could affect safe operation, do not use the telehandler. Pause, record what you observed and report it through the site’s approved process to the responsible person. Include the affected component, its condition and who you notified. Do not guess at the cause or attempt a repair unless you are authorised and competent to do so. Follow site instructions before the machine is returned to use.
Does a daily telehandler checklist replace a thorough examination?
No. A daily pre-use checklist is an operator check and does not replace a LOLER thorough examination by a competent person where one is required. For a telehandler used to lift materials, the research guidance specifies examination every 12 months; use to lift people changes the frequency to every 6 months. Check current HSE guidance and site arrangements for the requirements that apply to your machine and its use.
Should telehandler forks and attachments be checked before use?
Yes. Check forks and fitted attachments for visible damage, wear or signs that they may not be secure. Follow the telehandler and attachment manufacturer’s instructions for positioning, fitting and inspection, as arrangements vary between machines. Confirm the attachment is suitable for the planned task through your site procedures. If you find damage, suspect an insecure fit or are unsure about the check, report it and do not proceed until you have guidance.
Can you use a telehandler if a warning light or safety device is not working?
Do not use the telehandler if a warning light or safety device has failed, or if you are unsure what a warning means. Follow the manual and site procedure, record the issue and report it to the responsible person before operating. Do not bypass or ignore a warning to get the job started. The machine should only return to work once the concern has been assessed and the next steps are clear.
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