Free Pre-Start Checklist (Goods Lift) Template

Purpose of the Free Pre-Start Checklist (Goods Lift) Template

Goods lifts are essential for moving materials efficiently, but they also present significant crush, shear, and impact hazards if they are not maintained or operated correctly. Implementing a routine inspection before use is a critical control measure to ensure the equipment is safe to operate.

Our Free Pre-Start Checklist (Goods Lift) Template provides a structured framework for operators to conduct these vital checks, helping your organisation identify mechanical, electrical, and structural faults before they lead to an incident. Regular inspections help prevent unexpected equipment failure, protect workers from harm, and demonstrate proactive safety management.

Formalising this process is a key component of any effective plant safety program, reinforcing safe behaviour through consistent daily habits. For broader team engagement on this topic, consider using our pre-start checks and plant maintenance toolbox talk to refresh your team's knowledge.

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

This resource is available for immediate download in two formats. The DOCX file is fully editable, allowing you to tailor the checklist to your specific equipment and workplace conditions.

The PDF version is ready to print and use straight away if it meets your initial needs. A pre-start checklist is just one part of the overall risk management process for high-risk plant; it should be used in conjunction with other safety documents, such as a comprehensive scissor lift risk assessment, which can be adapted for similar types of lifting equipment.

Customisation is Essential

Important: This is a template only. We have designed it as a structured starting point aligned with Australian WHS principles, but you must customise it to reflect the specific make, model, capacity, and operating environment of the goods lifts at your workplace.

Consult the manufacturer’s instructions, consult with operators and maintenance staff, and conduct a risk assessment to ensure your final checklist is comprehensive and effective for your site.

When to use it

A pre-start check should be completed by the operator before the goods lift is used for the first time at the beginning of each shift or workday. It is not a weekly or monthly task.

This frequency ensures that any faults that may have developed overnight or during a previous shift are identified before the equipment is put back into service. Integrating this daily habit into your operational procedures is a fundamental aspect of building robust WHS management systems that actively manage risk rather than reacting to incidents.

The completed checklists should be retained as a record of your organisation's safety diligence.

Who should use it

The pre-start checklist should be completed by a person who is competent to operate the specific goods lift. Competency involves more than just holding a licence; it means the person has received adequate training and instruction, understands the operational features and limitations of the lift, and can recognise the potential hazards listed on the checklist.

Verifying that operators have the required skills is a key duty for any Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU). While specific to a different machine, you can see an example of how to structure this process in our free Scissor Lift VOC template.

Key Inspection Points

While your customised checklist will be specific to your equipment, it should generally cover the following areas:

• Controls and Signals: Test that all operating controls, including the emergency stop button, are functional and clearly labelled. Check that audible alarms and visual warning lights are working correctly.
• Gates and Doors: Ensure all landing gates and car doors are in good condition and that their interlocking mechanisms function correctly, preventing the lift from operating if a door is open.
• Structural Integrity: Visually inspect the lift car, guide rails, chains, and suspension ropes for any signs of wear, corrosion, or damage. Check that the platform surface is clear and non-slip.
• Safety Signage: Confirm that all safety signs, including the safe working load (SWL) and any operational warnings, are in place, legible, and undamaged.
• Operating Area: Ensure the areas around the lift entrances on all floors are clear of obstructions, well-lit, and free from slip or trip hazards. The procedure for these checks can be detailed in documents like a Safe Work Method Statement for scissor lift operation.

After the Check

The checklist is only effective if action is taken. If an operator identifies any fault or defect during the pre-start inspection, they must not use the lift.

The equipment should be immediately isolated, tagged out of service, and the issue reported to a supervisor or maintenance manager for rectification. A clear 'Do Not Operate' tag should be affixed to the controls to prevent inadvertent use.

Periodically reviewing your completed checklists, fault reports, and maintenance logs is good practice and can be validated through professional WHS compliance auditing to ensure your safety processes are working as intended.

By embedding this simple yet powerful tool into your daily routine, you can significantly enhance the safety of your material handling operations. For more templates and guides to support your safety goals, browse our extensive library of free WHS resources.