CNC Operator Daily Checklist PDF (Free, Printable)

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11 critical items still open - these are the highest-risk gaps.

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1. Before power-up: walk-around

Floor around the machine is clear of chips, coolant, oil and trip hazardsCRITICALNo tools, rags, wrenches or parts left on the table, in the spindle area or on the chuckGuards, doors and covers are in place and undamaged; no panel left open or removedCRITICALDoor windows are not cracked, clouded or scratched to the point you cannot see the cutChip conveyor and chip bin are empty enough for the shiftElectrical cabinet closed, no loose or damaged cables, no warning lights lit on the cabinetFire extinguisher is in its place, charged and not blockedHandover notes from the last shift read (open alarms, worn tools, known issues)

2. Fluids and utilities

Way / slideway lube reservoir level is in range and the auto-lube alarm is clearHydraulic oil level checked (chuck, tool changer, turret) and no leaks under the machineCoolant level is correct and the tank is free of floating tramp oil and heavy swarfCoolant concentration checked with a refractometer and within the supplier's rangeCoolant smells and looks normal (no strong sour odor, no heavy foam)Compressed air pressure is within the machine's stated range and the air filter / lubricator is drainedMist collector or exhaust is running and its filter is not visibly cloggedSpindle chiller or oil cooler is running with no alarm

3. Power-up and warm-up

Machine powers up and homes (reference return) with no alarmsCRITICALSpindle warm-up cycle run per the machine's cold-start routine, especially after a weekendAxes run through their travel at low rapid with no unusual noise, vibration or bindingTool changer cycles empty or with a test tool without hesitation or noiseChuck / collet clamp and unclamp work, and clamp pressure reads in the correct rangeCRITICALTailstock, steady rest or sub-spindle (if fitted) move and lock correctlyProbe and tool setter (if fitted) are clean and respond when touched

4. Tooling, workholding and program

Tool list in the program matches the tools actually loaded in the magazine or turretCRITICALTool holders and collets are clean, with no chips on the taper or in the pull-stud areaInserts and cutters checked for wear, chipping or built-up edge; life counters reviewedWork offsets and tool length / wear offsets match the setup sheetCRITICALVise, fixture or chuck jaws are clean, seated and torqued to the setup sheet valueCorrect program and revision loaded, confirmed against the traveler or job routerCRITICALFirst piece run with feed and rapid override reduced, and dry run or graphics done for new programsGauges needed for the job are in calibration and at the machine

5. Safety functions (test, do not assume)

Emergency stop pressed and confirmed to stop motion, then reset correctlyCRITICALDoor interlock confirmed: cycle will not start and spindle will not turn with the door openCRITICALLight curtain, safety mat or two-hand control (if fitted) tested per the machine manualLockout / tagout points identified and locks available at the machineSafety glasses, hearing protection and any task-specific PPE worn; no loose clothing, jewelry or long hair freeCRITICALEyewash or first-aid station is accessible and the path to it is clearAny defect that affects safety is tagged out of service and reported before runningCRITICAL

6. End of shift

Machine cleaned: chips removed from table, way covers and door tracks; coolant lines pointed downTools returned or tagged; worn tools reported for replacementParts and gauges put away; in-process parts identified and quarantined if suspectAlarms, near misses and leaks written on the handover sheetMachine left in the safe state called out in the shop procedure (doors closed, spindle stopped)Checklist signed with date, shift and machine ID

Items marked critical should stop the job if they fail. Fix or escalate before running parts. Print this page or export to PDF and file one sheet per machine per shift.

Turn failed checks into work orders

Optional: we can show how daily check results can feed maintenance requests in the ERP you already run, on your own servers.

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How to use the checklist

Print one sheet per machine per shift, or tick it on a tablet at the machine and export to PDF at the end of the shift. Work top to bottom: walk-around first, fluids next, then power-up, tooling, safety functions and end of shift. Items marked critical are stop conditions: if one fails, tag the machine, tell the supervisor and do not run parts. Keep the signed sheets with maintenance records so you can show that daily checks happen, which auditors and insurers ask for.

Edit the list to match your machine: a lathe has no tool setter on the table, a horizontal has a pallet changer.
Replace generic ranges with the numbers from the machine manual (lube level, air pressure, coolant concentration).
Assign one named owner per machine for the weekly and monthly checks that sit behind this daily list.

What a daily check should and should not cover

Daily checks are fast, visual and functional. They catch the failures that cause scrap and crashes: empty way lube, thin coolant, a wrong tool in pocket 12, a door interlock that no longer works. They are not a replacement for planned maintenance such as filter changes, ballbar tests or geometry checks, which belong on a weekly, monthly or annual schedule from the manufacturer. Keep the daily list short enough that operators actually do it. A 60-item list gets ticked without looking.

Safety checks and OSHA context

In the US, machine guarding falls under OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart O (for example 1910.212 for general requirements) and servicing under the lockout/tagout standard 1910.147. Daily operator checks do not create compliance on their own, but they show that guards and interlocks are verified before use. Other regions use ISO 12100 risk principles and local machinery rules. Test safety functions rather than assuming they work: press the E-stop, open the door during a cycle start, and record the result.

Common mistakes

The most common failure is a checklist that is ticked from memory. Require a number for measured items (coolant concentration, lube level) so a tick means something. Second, no feedback loop: findings written on the sheet never reach maintenance. Route failed items to a work order within the shift. Third, checking offsets only at setup: tool wear changes through the shift, so re-verify after any tool change, crash or long idle. Finally, do not let the sheet drift away from the actual machine after a retrofit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a CNC daily checklist take?

A well-scoped daily start-up and pre-use checklist takes about 5 to 15 minutes depending on the machine. If it takes much longer, operators skip items. Move the slower tasks, such as filter changes, geometry checks and grease points, onto a weekly or monthly schedule.

Is this checklist enough to meet OSHA requirements?

No checklist alone makes a shop compliant. It supports compliance by showing guards, interlocks and E-stops are verified before use. You still need machine-specific training, a lockout/tagout program, risk assessment and the manufacturer's maintenance schedule. Check the rules for your state or country.

Can I customize it for a lathe, mill or multi-axis machine?

Yes. Use the on-screen list as a baseline, then add or remove items for your machine, such as turret, sub-spindle, bar feeder, pallet changer or probe. Export to PDF after editing and keep a controlled copy per machine type.

Who should sign the daily checklist?

The operator running the machine signs it for their shift, and a supervisor or lead reviews and countersigns weekly. Critical failures should be signed off by maintenance when cleared, so the record shows who released the machine back to production.

If you want these checks to open a maintenance work order in your ERP automatically when an item fails, and to answer questions like which machines miss checks most often from your own records, we can set that up on your own servers.

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CNC Machine Operator Daily Checklist (PDF)

0 of 44 items complete

1. Before power-up: walk-around

2. Fluids and utilities

3. Power-up and warm-up

4. Tooling, workholding and program

5. Safety functions (test, do not assume)

6. End of shift

Turn failed checks into work orders

How to use the checklist

What a daily check should and should not cover

Safety checks and OSHA context

Common mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a CNC daily checklist take?

Is this checklist enough to meet OSHA requirements?

Can I customize it for a lathe, mill or multi-axis machine?

Who should sign the daily checklist?

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