Free Pre-Start Checklist (Spider Lift) Template

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

Operating a spider lift, a specialised type of elevating work platform (EWP), introduces significant safety risks if the equipment is not in sound condition. This Free Pre-Start Checklist (Spider Lift) Template provides a structured format for operators to conduct thorough inspections before each use.

Its primary purpose is to systematically identify potential mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical faults that could lead to equipment failure, property damage, or serious injury. Using a formal checklist helps create a documented record of due diligence and encourages a proactive safety culture within your organisation.

By integrating this checklist into your daily routine, you can verify that critical safety components—such as stabilisers, emergency controls, and structural integrity—are functioning correctly. It forms a key part of managing risks associated with high-risk plant, ensuring that equipment is safe to operate before any work at height begins.

A documented check can also be a vital component of broader WHS management systems, providing evidence of your commitment to safety.

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

This template is designed for immediate use and easy customisation. It is available as both a DOCX file for editing in Microsoft Word and a PDF for straightforward printing and use.

• Download: Select your preferred format (DOCX or PDF) and download the file.
• Customise: Modify the DOCX version to align with the specific make and model of your spider lift, the unique hazards of your worksite, and your company's safety procedures. Add your company logo and specific inspection points as required.
• Train: Ensure all operators are trained not only on how to operate the spider lift but also on the importance and correct procedure for completing the pre-start checklist. Competency can be confirmed using a resource like our free Scissor Lift VOC template, which can be adapted for other EWPs.
• Implement: Integrate the checklist into your daily operational workflow. Store completed checklists as part of your WHS records.

Important: This document is a template and serves as a starting point. To ensure it is effective, you must customise it to suit the specific equipment, tasks, and environment at your workplace.

We provide this resource to help you meet your safety obligations, but the legal responsibility for WHS compliance rests with the PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking).

When to use it

A pre-start checklist for a spider lift should be completed before the first use of the equipment on every shift. This ensures that the machine's condition has not changed overnight or between operators.

It is also essential to conduct a check after any maintenance or repair work has been performed to verify that the equipment is safe to return to service. If any faults or damage are identified during the check, the spider lift must be immediately tagged out of service and not used until it has been inspected and cleared by a competent person. Reinforcing this process can be achieved with a targeted Pre-Start Checks and Plant Maintenance toolbox talk.

Who should use it

The pre-start checklist must be completed by a person who is competent to operate the spider lift. This means they have received the necessary training, instruction, and information to understand both the operation of the machine and the potential hazards involved.

While the operator is responsible for conducting the check, supervisors and managers are responsible for ensuring the process is followed correctly and that any reported issues are addressed promptly. Periodically reviewing completed checklists is also a good practice to ensure diligence and can be a focus during WHS compliance auditing. For high-risk tasks involving the lift, a Safe Work Method Statement for scissor lift operations can be adapted to provide a framework for managing risks associated with spider lifts.