Free Pre-Start Checklist (PCR Machine) Template

Purpose of the Free Pre-Start Checklist (PCR Machine) Template

Operating laboratory equipment like a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine requires precision, care, and a systematic approach to safety. Our Free Pre-Start Checklist (PCR Machine) Template provides a structured framework for operators to conduct essential safety and operational checks before commencing work.

Using this checklist helps formalise the inspection process, ensuring the equipment is in safe working order, minimising the risk of malfunction, and protecting both the operator and the integrity of the scientific process. Regular pre-start checks are a fundamental component of proactive hazard management in a laboratory environment.

By documenting these checks, organisations create a verifiable record of due diligence, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining plant and equipment in a safe condition. This is crucial for identifying potential faults before they escalate into costly repairs or, more importantly, safety incidents.

Similar to checks performed on other complex equipment, such as our Free Pre-Start Checklist for 3D Printers, this process embeds a safety-first culture into daily lab routines.

How to Use the Free Pre-Start Checklist (PCR Machine) Template

This template is available as a fully editable DOCX file and a print-ready PDF. The DOCX version allows for complete customisation to align with the specific make, model, and configuration of the PCR machines used in your facility.

It's designed to be a robust starting point, capturing common inspection points relevant to most PCR equipment.

Important: This document is a template only. For it to be effective, you must customise it to reflect the unique hazards, controls, and operating procedures of your specific workplace and the particular PCR machine(s) in use.

We recommend a competent person, such as a lab manager or senior technician, reviews and adapts the checklist before implementation. Incorporating these tailored checks is a key part of developing robust WHS management systems that are practical and effective.

When to Use It

A pre-start check for a PCR machine should be completed by the operator before the first use on any given day or shift. For equipment that is used infrequently, a check should be performed before each use.

The goal is to make these inspections a non-negotiable part of the standard operating procedure. This routine helps reinforce safe work habits and ensures that any changes in the equipment's condition—such as worn seals, frayed electrical cords, or error messages on the display—are identified and addressed immediately, before the machine is put into service. This principle is reinforced in our Pre-Start Checks and Plant Maintenance Toolbox Talk.

Who Should Use It

This checklist is intended for use by any person who operates PCR machines, including laboratory technicians, research assistants, scientists, and students under supervision. The user must be trained and deemed competent not only in the operation of the PCR machine but also in the process of conducting the pre-start inspection itself.

Lab managers or Principal Investigators are responsible for ensuring that operators are adequately trained and that completed checklists are reviewed and stored as part of the facility's safety records. These records can be an important piece of evidence during a WHS compliance auditing process to demonstrate proactive equipment maintenance and safety management.

Verifying operator competence is a critical step that complements the use of a pre-start checklist. While this template focuses on the equipment, ensuring the user has the required skills is equally important.

For other types of machinery, a document like a Verification of Competency (Portable Welding Machine) template is used to formally assess an operator's ability. This same principle of verification applies to operators of sophisticated lab equipment. For a wider selection of safety documents, you can browse our complete free WHS resources library.