Free Pre-Start Checklist (Mobile Hoist) Template

Regularly inspecting mobile hoists is a critical step in preventing workplace incidents and ensuring the safety of both operators and those being lifted. To help formalise this process, Spire Safety offers this free Pre-Start Checklist (Mobile Hoist) Template.

This structured document, available in DOCX and PDF formats, guides operators through a systematic check of key components before each use, helping to identify potential faults before they lead to failure.

Integrating this checklist into your daily operations helps create a proactive safety culture. It serves as a tangible record that due diligence is being performed, which is fundamental to managing WHS risks associated with plant and equipment.

It encourages operators to take ownership of their equipment's condition and fosters a shared responsibility for safety across the workplace.

Purpose of the Free Pre-Start Checklist (Mobile Hoist) Template

The primary purpose of a mobile hoist pre-start checklist is to systematically verify that the equipment is safe to operate before it is used. This simple but effective procedure helps organisations meet their duty of care by proactively identifying mechanical, electrical, or structural defects.

By catching issues like worn lifting straps, faulty brakes, or malfunctioning controls early, you can prevent equipment failure that could result in serious injury or fatality. It also forms a key part of your equipment maintenance program.

For broader training on this topic, a pre-start checks and plant maintenance toolbox talk can help reinforce the importance of these inspections with your team.

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

Using this template effectively involves more than just downloading it. The first step is to customise the document to reflect the specific make and model of the mobile hoists used in your workplace.

Different hoists have different features and potential failure points that need to be captured.

Customisation is Essential

Note: This document is a template, not a finished procedure. We don't know your specific hoist models, your operational environment, or your local WHS requirements.

You must adapt this checklist to suit the unique context of your business. This includes adding or removing checks, specifying inspection criteria, and aligning it with manufacturer's recommendations.

Once customised, operators must be trained on how to complete the checklist correctly. This training should cover not just what to check, but also what constitutes a 'pass' or 'fail' and the procedure for reporting defects.

The completed checklists should be reviewed by a supervisor and kept as a record. Integrating this process into your comprehensive WHS management system ensures it is consistently applied and monitored for effectiveness.

When to use it

The pre-start checklist for a mobile hoist should be completed before every shift or before the first use of the day. A check should also be performed if the hoist is being used by a new operator during the same shift.

Furthermore, a thorough inspection using the checklist is recommended after any repairs or maintenance have been carried out to ensure the equipment has been returned to a safe operational state. In environments like healthcare or aged care, where hoists are used frequently throughout the day, establishing a clear routine for these checks is vital for patient and carer safety.

Who should use it

The mobile hoist pre-start checklist must be completed by a person who is trained and competent in the safe operation of that specific piece of equipment. Competence involves more than just knowing how to operate the hoist; it includes the ability to identify the hazards associated with its use and the knowledge to spot potential defects listed on the checklist.

Supervisors or managers are responsible for ensuring that only authorised and competent workers use the hoist and complete these checks. It is also their role to verify that the checks are being done correctly and to take appropriate action when faults are reported.

A formal Verification of Competency (VOC) for electric hoists and chain blocks can be adapted to confirm these skills. Because mobile hoists are critical tools in patient handling, an Aged Care Manual Handling Toolbox Talk can provide further context on safe lifting practices in that specific industry.

Finally, these records of inspection can be a valuable input for periodic WHS compliance auditing, demonstrating a history of proactive risk management. For more templates and tools, browse our library of free WHS resources.