Free Pre-Start Checklist (Crawler Crane) Template

Purpose of the Free Pre-Start Checklist (Crawler Crane) Template

A crawler crane is a high-risk piece of plant that demands rigorous daily inspection. Our free Pre-Start Checklist (Crawler Crane) Template provides a structured framework to help operators identify potential faults or hazards before commencing work.

Using a pre-start checklist is a practical way to meet your duty of care under Australian WHS laws, helping to prevent equipment failure, property damage, and serious injury. Regular, documented checks form a critical component of proactive safety management.

This systematic inspection process helps ensure the crane is in a safe operating condition before it is used for any lift. It formalises the inspection routine, creating a record that the equipment was checked and deemed safe at the start of a shift.

Integrating such practices is a foundational element of effective WHS management systems, demonstrating a clear commitment to workplace safety and risk control.

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

This document is provided as a downloadable DOCX and PDF file. To implement it effectively in your workplace, follow these steps:

• Download: Choose the format that suits you best (DOCX for editing, PDF for printing as-is).
• Customise: It is essential to adapt this template to your specific needs. We cannot know the exact make, model, configuration, or attachments of your crawler crane, nor the specific hazards of your worksite. You must review and modify the checklist to include items relevant to your equipment and operational environment. This may involve consulting the manufacturer's manual and conducting a site-specific risk assessment.
• Train: Ensure all operators and supervisors are trained on how to use the customised checklist, what each item means, and the procedure for reporting defects.
• Implement: Make the completed checklist a mandatory step before any crawler crane operation. The operator should complete the checks, sign, and date the form before starting their shift.

Supervisors should periodically review completed checklists to ensure they are being filled out correctly and that any reported issues are being addressed promptly. These records provide valuable data for maintenance scheduling and can be a key source of evidence during WHS compliance audits.

When to use it

The Crawler Crane Pre-Start Checklist should be completed at the beginning of every shift before the crane is operated. It should also be completed any time the crane is assembled on-site, after a long period of inactivity, or after significant maintenance or repairs have been carried out.

The goal is to verify the crane's operational readiness and safety at that specific point in time, ensuring no damage or faults have occurred since its last use. This daily discipline is crucial for high-risk mobile plant, similar to the principle behind using a pre-start checklist for a forwarder in a forestry operation.

Who should use it

This Pre-Start Checklist must be completed by a person who is competent and authorised to operate the specific crawler crane. A 'competent person' is someone who has the required training, knowledge, experience, and any relevant high-risk work licences to operate the crane safely.

They must be familiar with the crane's controls, safety features, and potential failure points. It is not a task to be delegated to an apprentice or a trade assistant.

The Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) is ultimately responsible for ensuring that operators are competent and that these essential safety checks are performed correctly.

For organisations needing assistance in developing broader safety protocols or defining competency standards, our WHS consulting services can provide expert guidance. We can help you build robust systems that go beyond a single checklist.

Explore our entire free WHS resources library for more templates and tools to support your safety objectives.