LOCAL RULES: B.C. REG. 296/97

British Columbia forklift daily inspection report requirements

Your British Columbia forklift daily inspection report has one rule to meet. ReportDraft puts it on your checklist and checks your draft before you sign.

  • The operator's pre-shift inspection, with reported defects kept on record for 2 years
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In British Columbia, forklifts fall under Part 16 (Mobile Equipment) of WorkSafeBC's Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The operator inspects the truck before first use on each shift, defects go to the supervisor, and the employer keeps a record of reported defects for 2 years. Here is each rule with a link to the official text.

Last reviewed October 13, 2026 against the official sources listed below.

Forklift daily inspectionBRITISH COLUMBIA / SAMPLE

Sample notes, 111 words

Company: Lakeside Distribution, Dock B
Truck: FL-07
Make and model: Toyota 8FGCU25, propane
Hours: 11,482
Date: 10/09/2026, 1st shift
...
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We sorted 17 items into 4 sections and flagged 2 to fix soon.

  • Fix soonVisual check (truck off)

    Seat belt latch won't stay buckled

  • Fix soonOperating check (truck running)

    Backup alarm not working

  • Worth watchingVisual check (truck off)

    Capacity plate faded, can't read the load centre

1 British Columbia rule on your checklist, including the operator's pre-shift inspection, with reported defects kept on record for 2 years.

Filled in for you

Company or siteLakeside Distribution, Dock B
Truck number or IDFL-07
Make and modelToyota 8FGCU25, propane
Hour meter reading11,482
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What British Columbia requires

  • Before mobile equipment is first operated on a shift, the operator inspects it and reports any unsafe or potentially unsafe defects to the supervisor or employer, and keeps monitoring its performance during operation; the employer keeps a record of every reported defect for at least 2 years, either in the maintenance record or on its ownOHS Regulation (B.C. Reg. 296/97), s. 16.3 · B.C. Reg. 296/97, s. 16.3 (BC Laws, official consolidation)
  • Mobile equipment is not maintained, repaired or modified while operating unless that is essential and the risks are controlled, and records of maintenance, repairs and modifications that affect safe performance are kept and reasonably available to operators and maintenance staff during work hoursOHS Regulation, s. 16.17 · B.C. Reg. 296/97, s. 16.17 (BC Laws, official consolidation)
  • The operator, and any rider authorized to be on the equipment, uses the seat belt whenever the equipment is moving or doing anything that could make it unstable, where the seat belt is required by law or installed by the manufacturer; seat belts are kept in good conditionOHS Regulation, ss. 16.5, 16.8 (2)
  • The design, fabrication, use, inspection, maintenance and repair of a lift truck meet CSA Standard B335-15 or, as applicable, ANSI/ITSDF B56.1a-2018, B56.6-2016 or ISO 10896 (or the version in force when the truck was made), and lift truck operator training meets Clause 6 of CSA B335-15OHS Regulation, s. 16.43 (1), (2)
  • A unitized load on a lift truck does not project above the fork carriage or backrest by more than half its height, loose objects do not project above it at all, and a load that could shift and make the truck or load unstable is restrained; where trucks are separated from pedestrians, travelling forward with an elevated load is allowed if it improves the view and stability is maintainedOHS Regulation, s. 16.43 (5) to (9)
  • An operator leaves the controls only after securing the equipment against movement with at least 2 effective braking or parking systems (parking brake, the transmission's park position, wheel chocks) and chocks where needed, and never leaves an elevated load or part unattended unless landed safely or otherwise securedOHS Regulation, s. 16.9
  • Every employer ensures regular inspections of all workplaces, including tools, equipment and machinery, at intervals that will prevent the development of unsafe working conditionsOHS Regulation, s. 3.5

Pre-shift inspection and records

Before a lift truck is first operated on a shift, the operator inspects it and reports any unsafe or potentially unsafe defect to the supervisor or employer, then keeps watching how it performs while working. The employer keeps a record of every reported defect for at least 2 years, in the maintenance record or on its own.

Repairs are not done on a running truck unless that is essential and safe, and records of maintenance, repairs and modifications that affect safe performance stay available to operators and mechanics during work hours. Lift trucks are designed, used, inspected and maintained to CSA B335-15 or the applicable ANSI or ISO standard, and operator training meets Clause 6 of CSA B335-15.

Operating rules

The operator and any authorized rider wear the seat belt whenever the truck is moving or doing something that could make it unstable, and seat belts are kept in good condition. Before leaving the controls, the operator secures the truck with at least two braking or parking means and lands any raised load. Loads do not stick up above the carriage or backrest beyond what the regulation allows, and loads that could shift are restrained.

Common mistakes

  • Operators inspecting the truck but not reporting what they found.
  • Throwing out defect reports before 2 years have passed.
  • Operating with a seat belt that will not latch.
  • Leaving a truck with only the parking brake set on a slope.
  • Training that does not follow Clause 6 of CSA B335.

Sources

Last reviewed October 13, 2026. Next review due January 13, 2027. This page explains published rules to help you write your report. It is not legal advice; the official text linked above governs.