20 free checklists
Daily Plant Prestarts Checklists
Daily pre-start safety checks for mobile plant and machinery before first use each shift. Helps you meet the WHS duty to inspect and maintain plant.
- 01
Forklift Daily Pre-Start Checklist
Daily pre-start safety inspection for counterbalance and reach forklifts. To be completed by a licenced forklift operator before operating the forklift each shift.
35 checklist items - 02
Excavator Daily Pre-Start Checklist
Daily pre-start safety inspection checklist for hydraulic excavators (track and wheeled). To be completed by the operator before commencing each shift.
33 checklist items - 03
Mobile Crane Daily Pre-Start Inspection
Daily pre-start safety inspection for mobile cranes in accordance with AS 2550.1 and Australian WHS regulations. Must be completed by a licensed crane operator before each shift.
47 checklist items - 04
EWP / Scissor Lift Daily Pre-Start Inspection
Daily pre-start safety inspection for elevated work platforms (scissor lifts, boom lifts) in accordance with AS 2550.10 and Australian WHS regulations.
40 checklist items - 05
Telehandler Daily Pre-Start Inspection
Daily pre-start safety inspection for telehandlers / telescopic material handlers in accordance with Australian WHS regulations and manufacturer requirements.
41 checklist items - 06
Dump Truck Daily Pre-Start Inspection
Daily pre-start safety inspection for articulated and rigid dump trucks / ADTs used on construction and mining sites in accordance with Australian WHS regulations.
43 checklist items - 07
Bobcat / Skid Steer Loader Daily Pre-Start Inspection
Daily pre-start safety inspection for skid steer loaders and compact track loaders in accordance with Australian WHS regulations and manufacturer requirements.
38 checklist items - 08
Backhoe Loader Daily Pre-Start Checklist
Daily pre-start inspection for backhoe loaders covering the front loader, rear backhoe, stabilisers, quick hitch and safety systems. Completed by the operator before the first use each shift.
43 checklist items - 09
Wheel Loader Daily Pre-Start Checklist
Daily pre-start inspection for articulated wheel loaders (front-end loaders), including the articulation lock, quick coupler, bucket and braking systems. Completed by the operator before each shift.
42 checklist items - 10
Grader Daily Pre-Start Checklist
Daily pre-start inspection for motor graders covering the moldboard, circle, ripper, tandems, articulation and operator safety systems. Completed by the operator before each shift on road or civil works.
41 checklist items - 11
Roller / Compactor Daily Pre-Start Checklist
Daily pre-start inspection for smooth drum, padfoot, tandem asphalt and pneumatic tyred rollers, including drums, scrapers, vibration controls and water spray systems. Completed by the operator before each shift.
39 checklist items - 12
Vehicle Loading Crane (Hiab) Pre-Start Checklist
Daily pre-start inspection for truck-mounted vehicle loading cranes (knuckle boom and stiff boom), covering stabilisers, boom, hook, rated capacity limiter and controls. Completed by the operator before the first lift each day.
40 checklist items - 13
Concrete Pump Pre-Start Checklist
Pre-start inspection for truck-mounted concrete boom pumps and line pumps covering outriggers, boom, delivery line, clamps, end hose and safety systems. Completed by the pump operator on arrival at site and before pumping starts.
38 checklist items - 14
Boom Lift (Knuckle / Telescopic EWP) Pre-Start Checklist
Daily pre-start inspection for self-propelled and trailer-mounted boom lifts covering the boom, jib, turntable, platform, harness anchor points, tilt alarm and emergency lowering. Completed by the operator before each shift.
43 checklist items - 15
Tractor Daily Pre-Start Checklist
Daily pre-start inspection for agricultural, landscaping and slasher tractors covering ROPS, PTO guarding, three-point linkage, hitched implements and front-end loaders. Completed by the operator before each use.
42 checklist items - 16
Water Cart Daily Pre-Start Checklist
Daily pre-start inspection for water carts and water trucks used for dust suppression and compaction, covering the tank, baffles, pump, spray bars, water cannon and vehicle safety systems. Completed by the driver before each shift.
41 checklist items - 17
Dozer (Bulldozer) Daily Pre-Start Checklist
Daily pre-start inspection for crawler dozers covering the undercarriage, blade, ripper, final drives and ROPS/FOPS cab. Completed by the operator before the first use each shift on earthworks, clearing or landfill work.
42 checklist items - 18
Reach Truck Daily Pre-Start Checklist
Daily pre-start inspection for electric reach trucks used in warehouses and high-bay racking, covering the mast, reach mechanism, forks, battery, brakes and operator controls. Completed by the licensed operator before each shift.
35 checklist items - 19
Electric Pallet Jack Pre-Start Checklist
Pre-start check for walk-behind and ride-on electric pallet jacks (powered pallet trucks) used in warehouses, retail backrooms and loading docks. Covers the tiller arm, forks, wheels, battery and safety functions.
31 checklist items - 20
Concrete Saw Pre-Use Checklist
Pre-use check for petrol and electric hand-held cut-off saws and walk-behind floor saws used to cut concrete, masonry, pavers and asphalt. Covers the blade, guard, water suppression for silica dust, and the work area.
33 checklist items
Frequently asked questions
What is a pre start checklist?
A pre start (or prestart) checklist is a short inspection the operator completes before using a piece of plant at the start of each shift. It covers fluids, tyres or tracks, brakes, lights, alarms, guards, controls and visible damage, and records whether the machine is safe to operate.
Are daily pre starts a legal requirement in Australia?
The model WHS Regulations require a PCBU with management or control of plant to make sure it is maintained, inspected and, where needed, tested by a competent person, following the manufacturer’s recommendations. Most manufacturers, principal contractors and hire companies require a documented daily pre start to meet that duty, and regulators expect to see one.
What happens if something fails the pre start?
The plant should be tagged out and not used until the fault is fixed and a competent person has checked it. Record the fault, who it was reported to, and when it was cleared.
How long should pre start records be kept?
Keep them for at least the life of the job, and ideally for the life of the machine, so that you can show a maintenance history. For registered plant such as some cranes, the WHS Regulations set specific record-keeping requirements. Check with your state regulator.