Free Pre-Start Checklist (Demo Hammer) Template

Purpose of the Free Pre-Start Checklist (Demo Hammer) Template

Demolition hammers, also known as breaker hammers or jackhammers, are powerful tools essential for many construction and demolition tasks. However, their operation introduces significant workplace hazards, including hand-arm vibration, high noise levels, airborne dust (like silica), and electrical risks.

This Free Pre-Start Checklist (Demo Hammer) Template provides a structured starting point for organisations to formalise their equipment inspection process. Using a consistent checklist helps operators systematically identify potential faults or damage before they lead to an incident, injury, or equipment failure.

Implementing this Pre-Start Checklist helps a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) meet their primary duty of care under Australian WHS laws. It serves as documented evidence that steps are being taken to ensure the equipment is safe to use, contributing to a safer work environment.

It also prompts operators to consider the condition of the tool in relation to the specific task, encouraging a proactive safety mindset. For similar concrete-related equipment, you may also find our free Pre-Start Checklist for Floor Saws useful.

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

This resource is available for download in both DOCX and PDF formats. The DOCX version is fully editable, allowing you to tailor it to your specific needs.

To use the template effectively, you should review each item and adapt it to the models of demolition hammers used at your workplace, the specific attachments (bits, chisels), and the environments in which they are operated.

Important: This template is a guide only. To ensure it is effective, you must customise it to reflect the specific hazards and control measures relevant to your workplace.

We recommend consulting with operators and maintenance personnel during the customisation process to ensure the checklist is practical and comprehensive. Integrating these checks into your broader WHS management system ensures they are part of a holistic approach to site safety.

When to use it

A pre-start inspection should be completed by the operator before every use or, at a minimum, at the beginning of each shift where the demolition hammer will be used. A new check should be performed if the equipment is transferred between operators during a shift.

This frequency ensures that any damage or faults that may have occurred during previous use, transport, or storage are identified before the tool is operated again.

Who should use it

This Pre-Start Checklist is designed for several key personnel within an organisation:

• Operators: The primary user of the checklist. They are responsible for conducting the physical inspection of the demolition hammer before they use it.
• Supervisors and Site Foremen: Responsible for ensuring operators complete the pre-start checks correctly and for taking appropriate action when faults are reported, such as tagging out unsafe equipment.
• WHS Officers and Managers: Use the completed records to monitor compliance, identify trends in equipment failure, and verify the effectiveness of safety procedures during site inspections. Regular WHS compliance auditing helps confirm these processes are being followed correctly.
• Maintenance Personnel: Can use the information from completed checklists to schedule preventative maintenance and prioritise repairs based on reported issues.

For organisations looking to standardise safety checks across all workshop equipment, our Pre-Start Checklist for Bench Grinders offers a similar structured approach. If you require assistance in developing a full suite of customised safety documentation for your site, our WHS consulting services can provide expert guidance.

You can also explore our complete free WHS resources library for more templates and guides.