Free Pre-Start Checklist (Autoclave) Template

Purpose of the Free Pre-Start Checklist (Autoclave) Template

This Free Pre-Start Checklist (Autoclave) Template provides a structured starting point for operators to verify that an autoclave is safe to use before each cycle. Autoclaves are high-risk plant that use high-pressure steam to sterilise equipment, presenting significant hazards including severe burns from hot surfaces or steam, scalding, and potential explosions if safety mechanisms fail.

Using a pre-start checklist formalises the process of inspecting critical safety components, helping to identify faults or damage before operation begins.

A consistent pre-start inspection process is a fundamental component of a safe system of work for high-risk equipment. It helps mitigate risks by ensuring that door seals, pressure gauges, safety valves, and other essential features are functioning correctly.

Integrating these checks into your organisation's overall WHS management systems demonstrates a proactive approach to risk management and helps fulfil your duty of care to workers.

How to use the Free Pre-Start Checklist (Autoclave) Template

To effectively implement this checklist, begin by downloading the template in your preferred format (DOCX for easy editing or PDF). The next critical step is customisation.

This document provides a general framework aligned with Australian WHS principles but must be adapted to your specific circumstances.

Important: This is a template, not a finished document. We have drafted it as a solid foundation, but you must customise it to reflect the specific hazards, controls, and operating procedures of your workplace and the particular autoclave model in use.

Review the manufacturer's operating manual and your internal safe work procedures to add or remove checklist items as necessary.

Once customised, ensure all authorised operators are trained on how to use the checklist correctly. This training should cover not just what to check, but why each check is important and the correct procedure for reporting any identified faults. Regularly reinforcing the importance of these checks can be done through safety meetings, such as a Pre-Start Checks and Plant Maintenance Toolbox Talk.

Consider also the physical tasks involved, such as loading and unloading heavy or awkward trays, which may require specific manual handling procedures. Training in this area can be supported with resources like our Aged Care Manual Handling Toolbox Talk, which covers relevant principles applicable in many settings.

When to use it

The autoclave pre-start checklist should be completed before the first use of the equipment each day or at the beginning of each shift. It is not a one-off task but a routine part of the daily workflow for any operator.

Making the pre-start check a non-negotiable first step ensures a consistent safety baseline before any sterilisation cycle is initiated.

Completed checklists should be retained as a record of due diligence. These documents can be invaluable during safety investigations, maintenance planning, and demonstrating procedural compliance.

Properly maintained records provide evidence that your organisation is actively monitoring the condition of its equipment. This documentation is often reviewed during internal or external WHS compliance auditing.

Who should use it

This checklist is designed for use by trained, competent, and authorised personnel. This may include laboratory technicians, medical and dental staff, research assistants, or any other worker tasked with operating an autoclave.

A person is considered competent when they have received specific training on the model of autoclave they are using, understand its operating principles and associated hazards, and have been deemed capable of operating it safely by their supervisor or manager.

Supervisors also have a key role to play. They are responsible for ensuring that operators are completing the checklists correctly, that procedures are being followed, and that any reported defects are addressed promptly before the equipment is used again.

For more tools to enhance your safety framework, explore our extensive free WHS resources library for more templates and guides.