Free Pre-Start Checklist (Scissor Table) Template

Purpose of the Free Pre-Start Checklist (Scissor Table) Template

A scissor table, or lift table, is essential in many industrial settings for lifting and positioning heavy loads. However, it also introduces significant hazards like crushing, shearing, and uncontrolled movement.

This Free Pre-Start Checklist (Scissor Table) Template provides a structured framework for operators to conduct thorough inspections before use. The primary purpose is to systematically identify any damage, wear, or malfunction that could lead to an incident.

Using this Pre-Start Checklist helps your organisation:

• Proactively identify and report equipment faults before they cause injury or failure.
• Provide a consistent inspection routine for all operators.
• Create a documented record of safety checks, demonstrating due diligence.
• Reinforce safe work practices and operator responsibility.

Integrating regular equipment inspections into your broader WHS management systems is a critical step in managing plant-related risks and meeting your duties under Australian WHS law.

How to use the Free Pre-Start Checklist (Scissor Table) Template

This resource is provided in both DOCX and PDF formats for your convenience. Download the DOCX file to customise it with your company branding and add or remove checks specific to your equipment and operating environment.

The PDF version is ready for immediate printing and use.

Important Note: This document is a template designed as a starting point. To be effective, you must customise it to reflect the specific make, model, power source (hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical), and safety features of the scissor tables in your workplace.

We cannot guarantee it covers every potential hazard for your specific circumstances. If you require help adapting this template, our WHS consulting team can provide expert support.

When to use it

The scissor table Pre-Start Checklist should be completed at the beginning of each shift or before the equipment is used for the first time on a given day. If different operators use the same table during a 24-hour period, each operator should conduct their own check before starting their work.

This frequency ensures that any faults that may have developed—either during operation or overnight—are identified before the equipment is put back into service.

Who should use it

This checklist should be completed by workers who are trained, competent, and authorised to operate the specific scissor table. The operator is in the best position to notice subtle changes in the equipment's performance or condition.

Supervisors also have a role; they must ensure operators are completing the checks correctly and that a clear process is in place for reporting and rectifying any faults found. A periodic review of completed checklists as part of a WHS compliance auditing process can help verify that your safety procedures are being followed effectively.

The principles of pre-start inspections are fundamental to workshop safety and apply to many types of machinery. For example, similar documented checks are vital for equipment covered in our Free Pre-Start Checklist (Bench Grinder) Template.

Keeping accurate records is a key part of the process. Completed checklists should be filed and retained according to your organisation's record-keeping policy.

These records can be invaluable for tracking equipment reliability, identifying recurring problems, and demonstrating a history of safety compliance. The methodology is transferable to other industrial tools, as seen in our Free Pre-Start Checklist (Floor Saw) Template. For a wider range of safety documents, browse our free WHS resources library.